Strictly Come Dancing viewers have identified what they've branded an 'unfair' aspect following Cach Mercer's debut live performance on the dance floor. The reality television personality, 25, partnered with professional dancer Maddie Ingoldsby on Saturday evening, delivering a Quickstep set to Bruno Mars' I Just Might as the 2026 series properly commenced.
However, audiences were soon questioning the judges' critiques of the routine, particularly remarks concerning the choreographic choices. Cach's performance incorporated aspects of his street dance expertise, which swiftly became a significant point of discussion when the judging panel delivered their assessments.
Craig Revel Horwood's harsh critique
Craig Revel Horwood proved especially harsh, informing 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 seemed to share certain elements of Craig's observations while simultaneously commending Cach's talent. She remarked: "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 agrees with Craig
Shirley Ballas endorsed Craig's evaluation of the performance, while acknowledging Cach's promise. "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."
Cach received marks of 3 from Craig, 6 from Motsi, 5 from Shirley and 6 from Anton Du Beke, totalling 20 points. Yet audiences were swift to query whether Cach ought to have faced such harsh criticism for aspects of the choreography, considering the routines are devised by the professional dancers or specialist choreographers.
Fans defend Cach online
One viewer posted: "Hate it when they critique celebs for choreography when it's not their fault! ! #strictly" Another commented: "These critiques when Cach didn't do the choreography #strictly".
A third questioned: "How is that Cach's fault? Its choreography is it not?" A fourth viewer remarked: "See that's on the pro- she makes the choreography! ! Hate when they blame the celeb #strictly".
Another contributed: "I hate when the celebs get punished for bad choreography #strictly" While one viewer challenged the judges' approach, stating: "Why are the judges being so rude? he weren't in charge of his choreography #Strictly".
The remarks were made during the opening live episode of the new series, which also signalled the dawn of a fresh chapter for the BBC's beloved ballroom institution. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe have taken the reins as hosts this year, stepping into the shoes of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.
