Television dog trainer Graeme “The Dogfather” Hall has been confirmed as the 11th celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, trading canine behaviour challenges for ballroom and Latin routines when the BBC series returns this autumn.

The announcement was made on August 5, adding another familiar television personality to the expanding cast. Hall is best known for presenting Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, where he helps owners understand and manage difficult behaviour in their pets.

Hall said he could not believe he was joining the programme after watching it for years. Although he admitted the experience would be nerve-racking, he described the chance to learn from Strictly’s professional dancers as a dream come true.

“I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started. Bring it on!”

Who is Graeme Hall?

Hall built his public profile through dog training rather than acting, music or professional sport. His calm but direct approach on Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly made him a recognisable figure among viewers dealing with barking, poor recall, aggression and other disruptive habits.

The programme has been on British television for almost a decade, but it is not his only screen work. Hall has appeared regularly on ITV’s This Morning, contributed to BBC radio and made a guest cameo in the period drama All Creatures Great and Small in 2025.

He is also a published author. His work includes All Dogs Great and Small, which became a Sunday Times bestseller and drew on lessons from his career working with animals and their owners.

Strictly will require a different range of abilities. Ballroom competition demands timing, posture, coordination, stamina and confidence during live performances. Hall’s experience in unscripted television may help him remain composed, but his progress will depend on how quickly he adapts to technical dance training.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast reaches 11 celebrities

Hall follows former England footballer and pundit Shaun Wright-Phillips, who was revealed as the tenth contestant on July 30. Wright-Phillips earned 36 senior England caps and represented clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and New York Red Bulls.

The lineup announced so far includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Graeme Hall.

The opening stage of the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity lineup began with Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer and Delta Goodrem before more names were released throughout the summer.

The group combines actors, athletes, broadcasters, reality television personalities and performers. Delta Goodrem brings extensive experience of live music, while Dame Sarah Storey has spent years competing at the highest level of Paralympic sport. Hall enters with camera confidence but no publicly established background in competitive dance.

That difference in experience is part of the format’s appeal. Early ability can help a contestant make an immediate impression, but improvement, choreography, chemistry with a professional partner and audience support often become more important as the competition develops.

Actor Jaime Winstone joined the 2026 Strictly cast as the eighth confirmed celebrity, showing how the BBC has gradually built a varied roster rather than announcing every participant at once.

Why Graeme Hall could connect with viewers

Hall’s casting has attracted attention because audiences mainly associate him with practical dog training rather than entertainment competitions. That unfamiliarity on the dance floor creates a genuine element of uncertainty around his performance.

His professional work nevertheless involves skills that could be useful during rehearsals. Patience, concentration and an ability to respond calmly when situations go wrong may help him cope with demanding routines and judges’ criticism.

Public familiarity could give Hall early support, but recognition alone will not secure a long run. Contestants must perform a new routine each week while managing increasing technical difficulty, live-show pressure and the combined influence of judges’ scores and viewer votes.

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start?

The new series is expected to begin in September 2026, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer across Saturday and Sunday nights. Rehearsals are underway, although Hall’s professional partner, first dance and the exact launch date had not been announced at the time of publication.

The programme is entering a period of visible change, with new hosts and additional professional dancers involved in the 2026 production. Returning professionals Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu have said that dancing and competition remain at the heart of the show despite changes to its presenting team.

Official scheduling and programme availability can be followed through the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing page.

Hall now faces the challenge of turning his calm television persona into confident live performances. His first routine will offer the clearest indication of whether “The Dogfather” can bring the same authority to the ballroom that made him successful on television.