Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed its fifth contestant for the upcoming series: Love Island champion Cach Mercer. The announcement comes as the BBC One dance show prepares for a major overhaul, including a new hosting trio and changes to its professional dancer lineup.
New Hosts and Professional Dancers
Long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down at the end of the last series. In their place, Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe will form the show's first-ever hosting trio. Johannes will also step away from his role as a professional dancer, joining five others—Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Marquez—who will not return for the next instalment.
Confirmed Celebrities So Far
Earlier than usual, Strictly has revealed several celebrity participants. The first to be announced was EastEnders icon Lacey Turner, followed by Neighbours actress and Australia's Eurovision entrant Delta Goodrem. Kim Kardashian's hairstylist, Chris Appleton, will also compete. Viewers were pleased to learn that Dani Dyer will return after an injury forced her withdrawal last year before week one.
Cach Mercer: From Love Island to the Ballroom
Cach Mercer, the reigning Love Island champion, joins the cast with a massive social media following—nearly 50 million likes on TikTok alone. He is known for his Afrobeat, hip-hop, and street dance moves, and also works as a model and DJ. Mercer serves as an ambassador for a young people's mental health charity.
In a statement, Mercer expressed his excitement: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'
Mercer and his former partner Toni Laites made history as the first American bombshell and the first Casa Amor boy to win the UK dating show. Their journey in the villa was famously dramatic, highlighted by a tumultuous love triangle with fellow islander Harrison Solomon, though they ultimately chose each other and claimed the £50,000 prize.
