Maddie Ingoldsby has been partnered with Love Island star Cach Mercer as she makes her Strictly Come Dancing debut. The 21-year-old from Bournemouth is one of five new professionals joining the BBC show and is a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion.
Her accolades also include being crowned World Rising Star and Under 21 World Ballroom Champion. She said joining Strictly as a professional is "truly a dream come true", adding: "My heart is so full of gratitude, excitement, and anticipation as I begin this incredible new chapter."
Childhood Fame and Acting Roles
As a child, Maddie played Annie in the West End and made her television debut on Strictly: It Takes Two, before performing in a group number on the main show's Christmas special. She also had an unexpected acting role in the film Last Christmas, starring Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke.
She played a younger version of the lead character Kate, played by Clarke. Just 14 at the time, she appeared in a childhood flashback filmed at St Sophia Cathedral in West London, performing Heal the Pain by George Michael and Paul McCartney with a children's choir. Her breakthrough was reported by the Henley Standard, which noted she had been singing, dancing and acting since age six.
Filming Memories and Career Focus
The report revealed Maddie forgot the lyrics during the performance because she was "nervous, jet-lagged and recovering from a cold". Despite this, she was accepted for the role. She said: "I was so excited when I heard the good news and the shoot itself was amazing. I was treated like royalty — they had breakfast waiting for me first thing in the morning and Emma was in the room when I was having my hair and make-up done."
She added: "She was so lovely, like a big mum figure, and was hugging everyone and saying what a great job they'd done. She was very down-to-earth, which you wouldn't think from some of the roles she has done, but she's very different in real life." While she enjoyed filming, she wanted to continue focusing on dancing, saying: "I really enjoy being a 'triple threat' rather than doing just the one thing and I don't want to narrow anything down."
Fans Notice Facial Scar
Many Strictly fans have noticed Maddie has a scar on her face. While she has not addressed how she got it, she took to TikTok to respond to people questioning why she has not had it removed. She shared a video with the question: "Are you ever going to get rid of the scar on your face?"
The video's title was Embracing Scars: A Personal Journey of Acceptance, with Maddie adding: "I love this trend, it's a part of me now." Fans showed support, with one saying: "I actually think it's beautiful, uniqueness in a world so desperate for everyone to look the same as everyone else." Another added: "You are absolutely gorgeous, that is a fact, scar or no scar." A final fan shared: "You are perfect because you are unique!" Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.15pm.
