Love Island winner Cach Mercer has spoken out after receiving brutal feedback from the judges for his first live performance on Strictly Come Dancing's 2026 season.
The 25-year-old danced the Quickstep to Bruno Mars' 'I Just Might' alongside partner Maddie Ingoldsby on Saturday night. Despite his dance background, he failed to win over the judges, with Craig Horwood complaining that the routine didn't feel like a traditional Quickstep.
Judges' criticism
Craig told Cach: "Too much freestyle for me. You’re a great freestyle dancer that is a fact, we know that. We don’t need to see that here in a Quickstep. The whole point of this is that you’re learning a new genre of dance so I’m finding it hard to judge that. I’m going to judge what Quickstep you actually did. The posture wasn’t great, the frame wasn’t great, so I’m sorry."
Shirley Ballas agreed with Craig, although she praised the reality star's potential. "I liked the beginning where you start solo and I wouldn’t have minded a little bit at the end, but you've got potential to be a great ballroom dancer. This was more what we would see in a street dance, which is coming you're gonna get that. Are you gifted? Absolutely. Can you feel? Absolutely," she said.
Score and response
Cach received scores of 3 from Craig, 6 from Motsi, 5 from Shirley and 6 from Anton Du Beke, giving him a total of 20 points. The TV star has now addressed the judges' feedback in a heartfelt statement.
Posting a picture from the live show on Instagram, Cach wrote: "Absolutely amazing experience, thank you @maddieingoldsby for everything it’s been amazing learning the quickstep with you." He added: "It was such an honour to be able to express myself on that dance floor. Thank you to all the judges for your feedback, I can’t wait to do it all again next week!"
Fans defend Cach
Maddie also shared her own statement encouraging her partner. "Week one AND YOU CAME OUT AND DID THAT!!!! I cannot wait for the world to see you blossom you are so talented I'm so proud of you," she posted to her Instagram story.
Viewers at home rushed to Cach's defence after his performance, with many questioning if the celebrity should have been criticised for the routine when it is actually choreographed by professionals. One viewer commented: "You were amazing and the judges were too harsh in my opinion. Can’t wait to see what you do next week." Someone else joined in: "You were the best on that dance floor! So much personality, don’t be disheartened." While a third fan said: "You did well. Take instructions and you will do amazingly."
The new season of Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
