Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Lauren Oakley, from Birmingham, joined the Strictly family in 2022. Known for her vibrant style and technical brilliance, Lauren is also a Guinness World Record holder.
Learn all about Lauren May Oakley’s amazing dancing career, view photos & videos plus read her latest news. Table of contents
Who is Lauren Oakley’s Celebrity Partner in Strictly 2026?
Lauren Oakley is partnered with celebrity dog trainer Graeme Hall for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. Known to millions as “The Dogfather” from Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, Graeme is swapping unruly pups for polished footwork. His warm personality and determination, paired with Lauren’s vibrant choreography and technical brilliance, promise a lively partnership packed with fun, character and plenty of ballroom surprises.
Lauren and Dogfather Graeme delivered a cheeky milkman-themed Jive in week 3. Kicks, flicks and plenty of proper Jive content kept us smiling, although the pace proved a challenge towards the end. Shirley loved the amount of dance content and Craig enjoyed Graeme’s charm and timing. A very respectable 25 points and another week on the dance floor!
On joining Strictly, Graeme said:
“I can’t wait to hit the dancefloor.”
See Lauren Oakley Live – Dance Lessons & Shows
Looking for tickets to see Lauren Oakley live? Join Lauren at one of Donaheys fabulous Dancing With The Stars Experiences in 2027, where you can enjoy a dance lesson with Lauren, see her perform a fabulous live Ballroom Show with Kai Widdrington and enjoy a weekend full of ballroom glitz and glamour.
Lauren will be joining us at Alton Towers and Celtic Manor Resort in 2027. Our weekend experiences include 7 hours of dance lessons with the stars, spectacular live performances, fabulous evening entertainment, fun Q&As, our Black Tie Ball and a 4-star or 5-star Resort Hotel stay.
- When
- Friday 5th – Sunday 7th March 2027
- Where
- 4* Alton Towers Resort Hotel, Staffordshire
✨ Star Studded Line-Up ✨
- ✨ Kai Widdrington & Lauren Oakley
- ✨ Julian Caillon & Alexis Warr
- ✨ Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara
- ✨ Giovanni Pernice
See the full star-studded line-up
- ✨ British Showdance Champions David Cockram & Rosie Ward
- ✨ Team Warren & Kristi Boyce
- ✨ Argentine Tango Stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani
- ✨ Tony Greenwood 15-Piece Big Band
- When
- Friday 16th – Sunday 18th April 2027
- Where
- 5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel & Spa, Newport
✨ Star Studded Line-Up ✨
- ✨ Kai Widdrington & Lauren Oakley
- ✨ Julian Caillon & Alexis Warr
- ✨ Anton Du Beke
- ✨ Giovanni Pernice
See the full star-studded line-up
- ✨ British Showdance Champions David Cockram & Rosie Ward
- ✨ Team Warren & Kristi Boyce
- ✨ Argentine Tango Stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani
- ✨ World, European and British U21 10-Dance Champions Benjamin Turner and Lilia Fleming
- ✨ Tony Greenwood 15-Piece Big Band
Please note, we do not sell individual Lauren Oakley tickets – Lauren’s dance lessons and live performances at Donaheys are included as part of our Dancing With The Stars residential experiences.
Lauren Oakley’s Dance and Theatre career
Lauren started dancing aged two and began competing in Ballroom and Latin at seven. Her titles include the United Kingdom and British Closed Under 21 Ballroom and Latin championships.
Before Strictly, Lauren toured internationally with Burn the Floor from 2013, becoming a principal dancer and contributing to choreography. She partnered Kevin Clifton on his 2020 and 2022 UK tours and has performed alongside Anton du Beke and Giovanni Pernice.
Lauren also studied broadcast journalism in Nottingham. Lauren describes how dance training, education and years on stage helped prepare her for Strictly.
What Guinness World Record did Lauren Oakley achieve?
In the 2023 Strictly It Takes Two Pro Challenge, Lauren achieved 15 pendulum dance steps in 30 seconds, with no disqualified moves.
Lauren Oakley Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lauren from?
Lauren Oakley is from Birmingham, England, bringing her Brummie warmth and energy to the Strictly dance floor.
How old is Lauren?
Lauren Oakley is 35 years old, born on 28 February 1991.
Is Lauren in a relationship?
Yes, Lauren Oakley is married to Maximiliano Omar Montes de Oca. The couple got engaged in August 2018 and married in 2019. Lauren often shares glimpses of their life together, reflecting her joyful and grounded approach to life alongside her Strictly career.
What are Lauren’s greatest dance achievements?
Lauren started dancing at just 2 years old and began competing soon after. Early successes include becoming Juvenile Champion at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival, winning across both Ballroom and Latin disciplines.
Lauren was crowned Under 21 British National Champion before exploring a career on stage.
When did Lauren join Strictly?
Lauren joined the Strictly family back in 2022, although has danced on the show previously.
Who has Lauren danced with on Strictly?
| Year | Celebrity Partner | Position |
| Series 20 (2022) | No Celeb Partner | Professional and group routines |
| Series 21 (2023) | Krishnan Guru‑Murthy (presenter and journalist) | Eliminated Week 8 |
| Series 22 (2024) | JB Gill (JLS singer)* | Runner-up – Grand Final |
| Series 23 (2025) | Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (former footballer) | Eliminated Week 5 |
| Series 24 (2026) | Graeme Hall (dog trainer and television presenter) | Current partnership |
*Initially, Amy Dowden was partnered with JB. However, after Amy suffered a foot injury and withdrew in early November 2024, Lauren stepped in beginning Week 7 and continued dancing with JB all the way to the grand final, where they finished runners-up.
Has Lauren ever won Strictly?
No, Lauren has not yet won Strictly Come Dancing. Her first partnered series was in 2023 with Krishnan, and she returned to the competition in 2024 partnering JB Gill, reaching the grand final.
Find out who has won BBC Strictly Come Dancing with our full list of past Strictly winners from 2004 here – Strictly Winners
Who was Lauren Oakley’s Celebrity Partner in Strictly 2025?
In 2025, Lauren partnered former Premier League and international footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Their partnership brought plenty of competitive spirit and enjoyable performances, including a Rumba to No Time To Die and an American Smooth to Purple Rain. They achieved their highest score in week five before leaving the competition.
Who was Lauren Oakley’s Celebrity Partner in Strictly 2024?
In 2024, Lauren stepped in to dance with JLS singer JB Gill after Amy Dowden withdrew through injury. Lauren and JB delivered memorable routines including a Couples’ Choice to 24K Magic, a Charleston and a Viennese Waltz, ultimately reaching the grand final and finishing as runners-up.
Where can I find the latest Lauren Oakley news and updates?
For the latest news, videos, and photos from Lauren Oakley’s dancing journey:
- Check Lauren’s official BBC Strictly profile.
Lauren & Graeme’s Strictly 2026 Journey
Week 1: Their Hound Dog Cha Cha Cha was full of character and content. Anton enjoyed the old-school style, and Graeme scored 24 points.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Donaheys Dancing With The Stars Weekends are not associated with BBC Studios
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Alexis Warr
– Amy Dowden MBE
– Carlos Gu
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Jowita Przystal
– Julian Caillon
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Lauren Oakley
– Luba Mushtuk
– Michelle Tsiakkas
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Vito Coppola
– Aleksandra Isaeva
– Cristian Priori
– Lethabo Monametsi
– Maddie Ingoldsby
– Mark Karmalita
Meet the Strictly Come Dancing Presenters
Learn more about Strictly presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Judges
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood
