Strictly star Graeme Hall dances after stroke recovery

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 20:21 · Archive

Graeme Hall, on Strictly Come Dancing, has spoken about suffering a stroke seven years ago caused by a hole in his heart.

Graeme Hall, competing on Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about the health journey that inspired his Couple's Choice dance with professional partner Lauren Oakley. The pair performed to The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel.

Seven years before his appearance on the show, Hall suffered a stroke. He experienced a 'weird buzzing' in his head and fell, immediately recognising what had happened when one side of his face felt funny. An MRI scan at hospital confirmed the stroke, despite Hall having shown no previous signs of illness.

Doctors discovered during his hospital stay that Hall had a hole in his heart. The condition, which he has had since birth, was large enough to allow blood clots to pass from one side of his heart to the other and reach his brain, causing the stroke. Hall said the condition 'was nowhere near as bad as some people have it'.

Following the diagnosis, Hall underwent surgery to close the hole in his heart. His recovery took approximately seven months. After taking part in a charity event in 2012, Hall developed a passion for dancing and began taking classes at a local dance school.

How it is being reported

• Strictly Come Dancing star opens up about heath journey that inspired his danceGraeme Hall opened up about his journey after suffering a stroke that has inspired his Couple's Choice dance.Cumberland News · 7 Nov, 19:50
• Strictly Come Dancing star opens up about heath journey that inspired his danceGraeme Hall opened up about his journey after suffering a stroke that has inspired his Couple's Choice dance.Westmorland Gazette · 7 Nov, 19:50
• Strictly Come Dancing star opens up about heath journey that inspired his danceGraeme Hall opened up about his journey after suffering a stroke that has inspired his Couple's Choice dance.Whitehaven News · 7 Nov, 19:50
• Strictly Come Dancing star opens up about heath journey that inspired his danceGraeme Hall opened up about his journey after suffering a stroke that has inspired his Couple's Choice dance.NW Evening Mail · 7 Nov, 19:50

In this story: Graeme Hall · Lauren Oakley · BBC · Strictly Come Dancing

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