Strictly Come Dancing viewers were divided over Cache Mercer's couple's choice routine during the show's third week, with some criticising the format while others praised the performance.
On Saturday night (October 10), the remaining 14 celebrities returned to the dancefloor to impress the BBC judges. Among them, Cache Mercer performed a couple's choice routine with his professional partner, Maddie Ingoldsby, which sparked a flurry of comments on social media.
Mixed Reactions From Viewers
Some viewers took issue with the timing of the routine. One person said: "Every pair should do their Couples Choice on the same week! #Strictly." Another echoed this sentiment: "For the umpteenth time, they should have a couples' choice week. How can you have trained Latin/ballroom judges mark a 'fusion freestyle streetdance' against actual set steps of a Waltz, Samba or Tango that they will say are wrong?"
A third viewer commented: "All couples' choices should be in the same week #strictly." Another added: "I hate couples' choice at the best of times, especially so early on. I also just don’t see how you can compare that kind of dance to the likes of Will’s waltz or Lacey’s samba. Great that Cach is a confident soloist, but of course he would be in a style he’s familiar with #strictly."
Support for the Routine
However, others were thrilled by the decision to perform a couple's choice so early in the competition. One viewer said: "This is what you call a couple's choice dance. This was amazing, and it's only week 3. Love watching Cach and Maddie on the dancefloor." Another added: "Cache and Maddie were amazing. I'm glad Cache got to do his couple's choice and show what he can do."
Emotional Moment and Scores
Speaking to Johannes Radebe upstairs, Maddie became emotional about stepping out of her comfort zone. She said: "I'm going to cry! Obviously, it was really out of my comfort zone and also Cache's as well, so in this experience, we went through it together, and it was a nice way to put myself in his shoes as well because that's how he's felt for the past three weeks."
She continued: "I couldn't have done it without him. I'm going to start tearing up, gosh. But, he really inspires me, and I think he's amazing-" Maddie was unable to finish her comment as she became emotional, and Cache pulled her in for a hug as they awaited the judges' scores.
Craig Revel Horwood awarded a seven, while the remaining judges all gave eights, resulting in a total of 31. Viewers will have to wait until the results show on Sunday (October 11) to see if Cache is saved from the dance-off. Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One from 6:15pm.
