Graeme Hall dedicates Strictly dance to stroke recovery

Graeme Hall and professional partner Lauren Oakley performed a Couples’ Choice routine on Strictly Come Dancing dedicated to Hall’s recovery from a stroke he said he suffered in 2019. The dance, set to Peter Gabriel’s “The Book of Love,” received 28 out of 40 from the judges.

Hall discussed the experience in a filmed segment before the performance, describing the stroke and its effect on his life. He said on the programme that he had recovered fully, although the recovery took time. The performance showed a more personal subject than the character-based routines the pair had presented earlier in the competition.

Hall also said he had not spoken publicly about the stroke before discussing it on Strictly. Earlier in the week, he explained that the dance was intended to convey hope and said he hoped it might encourage people facing difficulties. Oakley said the choreography was built around the song’s lyrics and would show Hall’s more tender side.

The routine prompted responses on social media from viewers who described being moved. Some referenced their own experiences of stroke and bereavement. Those posts reflected individual reactions rather than a representative measure of...