Love Island champion Cach Mercer has spoken out after receiving judges' feedback following his first live Strictly Come Dancing performance. The 25-year-old danced the Quickstep to Bruno Mars' track 'I Just Might' with partner Maddie Ingoldsby on Saturday evening, but struggled to impress the panel.
Judges' criticism
Craig Horwood expressed concern that the routine strayed from conventional Quickstep territory, telling 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 echoed Craig's sentiments, though she acknowledged the reality star's capabilities. "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.
Cach's response
Cach secured marks of 3 from Craig, 6 from Motsi, 5 from Shirley and 6 from Anton Du Beke, totalling 20 points. Sharing a photograph from the live performance on Instagram, Cach wrote: "Absolutely amazing experience, thank you @maddieingoldsby for everything it's been amazing learning the quickstep with you. It was such an honour to be able to express myself on that dance floor."
Cach went on to share two words for the judges, writing "thank you" to the panel for their feedback. "I can't wait to do it all again next week!," he concluded.
Support from fans
Maddie also took to social media to offer her own encouraging words to 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.
Home viewers rallied behind Cach following his performance, with many questioning whether the celebrity deserved criticism for a routine that had been choreographed entirely 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." Another added: "You were the best on that dance floor! So much personality, don't be disheartened." While a third supporter 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.
