Cach Mercer is the fifth celebrity added to Strictly Come Dancing 2026, extending the cast rollout ahead of the show’s return in September. The announcement moves the series closer to a full line-up and gives the production another recognisable name to sell the new season around.
Cach Mercer and Ballroom
Mercer said, “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!” That line does two things at once: it sells the personal fit and signals the first technical hurdle he will face once rehearsals begin.
The described him as a social media star who has built a fan base showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. It also said he works as a model, DJ and ambassador for a young persons’ mental health charity, which broadens his profile beyond Love Island and makes him a more useful casting choice for a show that now sells familiarity as much as choreography.
June and May names
Chris Appleton was added in June, while Delta Goodrem and Dani Dyer are also part of the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up. Lacey Turner was the first famous face announced, and she said she was looking forward to “taking part and not watching at home this year,” a neat reminder that the series is still building its cast one announcement at a time rather than dropping the full roster in one go.
In May, Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe were revealed as the new hosts replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. That change matters because the 2026 cycle is not just a casting exercise; it is a reset in how the programme will present itself when the new season lands.
Love Island finale route
Mercer first appeared on Love Island during last year’s summer series of ITV2’s dating show, then won the public vote and was crowned as part of the winning pairing in the finale. Strictly’s Instagram caption — “He's our type on paper...” — tied the new booking back to that visibility, which is exactly the kind of cross-show recognition the series has leaned on for years.
For viewers, the practical takeaway is simple: the 2026 line-up is still being assembled, and Mercer is now one of the names in it. The remaining question is who he will dance with, because his professional partner has not been revealed yet, and that pairing will decide whether his first few weeks are built around control, showmanship or a quick crash course in fundamentals.
