Strictly Come Dancing fans were left stunned as Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby made a major comeback on the BBC series, just a week after facing a potential exit in the dance-off. The couple scored an impressive 39 points for their Charleston to Blame It on the Boogie by The Jacksons, leaving them one shy of a perfect 40.
Near Exit and Judge Criticism
On Saturday, November 14, the former Love Island winner and his dance partner returned to the floor after taking on the dance-off the week prior. They performed the waltz to That Ain't You by Mulaa Joans, which Motsi Mabuse called "elegant", but Shirley Ballas said featured "way too many foot errors", adding: "Some parts are getting better, some need a bit more work."
They then landed in the dance-off against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu, who reprised their foxtrot to Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis, which had scored them 30 on Saturday's live show, putting them joint fourth on the leaderboard before public votes were taken into account.
Judges' Split Decision
After both couples danced, judge Anton Du Beke chose to save Cach and Maddie, while fellow judges Motsi and Craig Revel Horwood voted to save Bethany and Nancy. Head judge Shirley cast the deciding vote and saved Cach and Maddie, sending them through to week eight and sending Bethany and Nancy home.
However, the tables quickly turned the week before Blackpool as they scored 39 points for their Charleston, earning three 10s from the judges.
Fans React on Social Media
Taking to social media, fans expressed their surprise at how well the couple did compared to last week when they ended up in the dance-off. On X, @johnkingderry1 wrote: "OMG What a performance from Cach and Maddie. I am stunned. I didn't expect that. That has thrown me. Well done young man. What a comeback from last week in the dance off. Well Done!! I am so happy for them both. At last he has shown what he can do!"
@2001_joemendy agreed: "Talk about a COMEBACK!!! 3 10s for Cach & Maddie. They were one shy of a perfect 40 there. Wow, very well done."
Couple Reflect on the Experience
Cach and Maddie also appeared on Strictly's spin-off, It Takes Two, to discuss facing the dance-off for the first time. "Honestly, you don't know which way the competition is going to go, so you have to prepare for anything," Maddie told host Ellie Taylor. "You never know if it will be your last chance on the dance floor, but when it was us, we were in the back of the room, and we just said we're going to dance for each other, and have the best time on the floor like it was the last time."
Cach revealed that he felt "under so much pressure" following the judges' comments after he first performed the routine live, stating, "I did what had to be done". He added: "It was emotional considering it might have been our last time dancing."
