Strictly Come Dancing fans have leapt to defend Cach Mercer after spotting an 'unfair' detail in the judges' criticism of his first live performance. The reality star, 25, danced a Quickstep to Bruno Mars' I Just Might with professional partner Maddie Ingoldsby on Saturday night, as the 2026 series properly got underway.
Judges' criticism of the routine
Viewers quickly questioned the judges' comments, particularly about the choreography, after Cach's routine included elements of his street dance background. Craig Revel Horwood was particularly critical, telling Cach: "Too much freestyle for me. You're a great freestyle dancer that is a fact but we don't need to see that here in a quick step. 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 quick step you actually did. Your posture wasn't great, your frame wasn't great so I'm sorry."
Motsi Mabuse appeared to agree with some of Craig's comments but also praised Cach's natural ability. She said: "I understand what Craig is saying. I have to say something that is really important, dance is about music and music lives in your body and that was genius from you, the way you work with the music. I'm going to put it this way, he's right, you need to learn the rule, the ballroom rules."
Shirley Ballas also backed Craig's assessment of the routine, while praising Cach's potential. "You're not going to like what I'm going to say but I absolutely agree with Craig," she said. "I like the beginning when you start solo and I wouldn't have minded a bit at the end but you've got potential to be a great ballroom dancer and this is more what we would see in a street dance. Are you gifted? Absolutely. Can you feel? Absolutely. Personality? Absolutely."
Viewers question the scoring
Cach was ultimately handed scores of 3 from Craig, 6 from Motsi, 5 from Shirley and 6 from Anton Du Beke, giving him a total of 20 points. But viewers were quick to question whether Cach should have been criticised so heavily for elements of the choreography, given that the routines are created with the professional dancers or professional choreographers.
One viewer wrote: "Hate it when they critique celebs for choreography when it's not their fault!! #strictly" Another said: "These critiques when Cach didn't do the choreography #strictly" Someone else asked: "How is that Cach's fault? Its choreography is it not?" A fourth viewer wrote: "See that's on the pro- she makes the choreography!! Hate when they blame the celeb #strictly"
Another added: "I hate when the celebs get punished for bad choreography #strictly" And one viewer questioned the tone of the judging, writing: "Why are the judges being so rude? he weren't in charge of his choreography #Strictly"
New era for the show
The comments came during the first live show of the new series, which also marked the beginning of a new era for the BBC ballroom favourite. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe are hosting the show this year, taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.
