The first live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 saw judges offer a mixed reception to former Love Island winner Cach Mercer’s debut performance.
Mercer, who won Love Island in 2025 as a self-taught dancer, took to the floor on Saturday night with new professional partner Maddie Ingoldsby. The pair performed a wedding-themed Quickstep to ‘I Just Might’ by Bruno Mars, but the inclusion of contemporary and street-style elements left the judging panel at odds.
The performance earned a total score of 20 points, placing the couple in the middle of the opening weekend leaderboard. While the routine was praised for its energy, the technical execution of the traditional ballroom dance became a point of contention.
Judges divided over ‘freestyle’ content
Craig Revel Horwood was the most vocal critic of the choreography, telling the couple that the routine contained “too much freestyle” for a Quickstep. He noted that the lack of traditional frame and hold made it difficult to judge as a competitive ballroom dance.
In contrast, Motsi Mabuse was enthusiastic about the performance, describing Mercer’s musicality as “genius.”
The 2026 series, which is the 24th season of the long-running BBC competition, features a significant change in presentation. Following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the show is now hosted by a new trio: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
According to Wales Online, Mercer’s score of 20 keeps him clear of the bottom of the pack. Three other couples currently share the lowest score of 15 points.