Reigning ‘Love Island’ 2025 champion Cach Mercer has been confirmed as the fifth celebrity to join the cast of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2026. The social media sensation and content creator will compete in the highly anticipated new series which airs this autumn.According to BBC Strictly’s official social media channels, the announcement was made on Thursday 9 July on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. The news is another big addition to the entertainment lineup as the show prepares for its return with new guest stars and an even bigger celebrity cast.
It captures Mercer’s excitement for the competition
Speaking about his involvement, Mercer expressed his excitement to join a show that has followed him throughout his life. “I grew up watching the show with my family and I’m so excited to be a 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!” she stated, highlighting her eagerness to develop ballroom dancing skills.
Cach Mercer’s rise to fame and social media presence
Mercer rose to prominence following his win on the most recent series of ‘Love Island’, where he was crowned male champion after winning the public vote. This success in the dating competition shows in her social media following, as she has amassed a combined follower base of nearly 50 million on one of the major video platforms.The content creator is widely recognized for his posts and performance of afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. Beyond her social media presence, Mercer works professionally as a model and DJ, bringing versatile entertainment credentials to the competition. He also serves as an ambassador for a youth mental health charity, demonstrating his commitment to advocacy and social responsibility.
Professional dancers at the show
The competition will feature an ensemble of professional dancers including Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Aljaž Škorjanec, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Vito Coppola, Alexis Warr and Julian Cagrapher. contestantsThe rest of the 2026 cast will be announced gradually over the summer, building anticipation for the show’s return. The new series will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September 2026, and viewers can now add the show to their watchlists on the streaming platform.