Cach Mercer, the reigning champion of ‘Love Island’ 2025, 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, July 9 on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. The news is another big addition to the entertainment line-up as the show prepares itself for its return with new guest stars and even more artists.
Get Mercer’s excitement about the competition
Speaking about his participation, Mercer expressed his excitement to join a show that he has followed all his life. “I grew up watching the show with my family and am 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!” he stated, emphasizing his passion to develop ballroom dancing skills.
Cach Mercer’s rise to fame and social media presence
Mercer rose to fame following his victory in the latest series of ‘Love Island’, where he was crowned male champion after winning the public vote. This success in the dating competition reflects his social media following, as he has amassed a combined follower base of nearly 50 million on one of the major video platforms.The content creator is well known for his posts and performances of Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance movements. Beyond her social media presence, Mercer works professionally as a model and DJ, bringing a number of competitive entertainment credentials. He also serves as an ambassador for a youth mental health charity, demonstrating his commitment to advocacy and social responsibility.
Professional dancers in the show
The competition will feature a group of professional dancers including Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Aljaž Å korjanec, Jowita PrzystaÅ‚, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Vito Coppola, Alexis Warr, and Julian Cai-Caigraph comprehensive performers. celebrity contestants.The rest of the 2026 cast will be announced progressively throughout the summer, building anticipation for the show’s return. The new series will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September 2026, with viewers adding the program to their watchlists on the streaming platform now.