Cach Mercer has bounced back in style on Strictly Come Dancing 2026 and as a professional dancer turned media personality, he has a lot to prove.
The former Love Island winner made a promising start to his Strictly journey alongside professional partner Maddie Ingoldsby, and after week three he is sitting firmly in number two on the leaderboard - only beaten by Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
After scoring 20 points for his quickstep in the first live show, Cach returned to the ballroom with a samba in week two, a routine which earned the pair an impressive 29 points and was followed up with a polished 31 points last week.
But with Goodrem unable to perform this week due to injury, could Mercer finally find himself coming out on top?
So, just who is Cach Mercer? Read on to find out more about the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant.
Who is Cach Mercer?
Age: 25
Job: Dancer
Instagram: @cacherel_
Partner: Maddie Ingoldsby
Cach Mercer is a dancer who rose to fame on Love Island 2025, which he won alongside ex-girlfriend Toni Laites.
He joined Love Island as a Casa Amor bombshell and formed a strong connection with Toni. Upon winning the show, Cach said: "It feels amazing. I was 100 per cent authentically myself and luckily the public liked it, so I'm buzzing. I appreciate every moment on the show, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn't have done it any other way."
Cach has since earned a strong social media following, with almost 50 million likes on TikTok alone, and works as a model, DJ and ambassador for the young persons' mental health charity YoungMinds.
Since winning Love Island, he has dedicated to use his platform to create safe spaces for young men to open up about their feelings and mental health.
He also previously appeared on MTV's Are You the One? back in 2022.
Cach Mercer's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week 1: Quickstep (3 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 20)
Week 2: Samba (7 + 7 + 7 + 8 = 29)
Week 3: Couple's Choice (7 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 31)
What has Cach Mercer said about Strictly Come Dancing?
Ahead of the launch show, Cach said: "I'm very excited, I cannot wait to get stuck in to the Strictly experience and start learning all of the different styles."
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 17 October at 6:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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