Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed its fifth celebrity for the 2026 series, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, as the BBC show enters a new era with three fresh hosts and a significantly reshuffled professional dancer line-up.
Strictly Come Dancing has begun revealing its 2026 cast, with the show heading into what bosses hope will be a fresh, scandal-free chapter for the BBC’s flagship dancing competition. The new series follows last year’s win for Lioness Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu, and arrives alongside major changes behind the scenes: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have both stepped down as hosts, replaced by a trio of new faces in broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
A Reshaped Professional Line-Up
The shake-up extends well beyond the presenting team. Several fan-favourite professional dancers have departed the show, including Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will remain on the show without a celebrity partner this year. Despite the turnover, the judging panel remains unchanged, with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse all confirmed to return.
Cach Mercer Becomes Latest Star Confirmed
Influencer Cach Mercer has been announced as the fifth celebrity contestant for the 2026 series, arriving fresh off his Love Island win alongside partner Toni Laites in 2025. He is the second Love Island winner to join this year’s line-up, following Dani Dyer’s earlier confirmation. Mercer’s casting has already generated discussion given his substantial dance background; his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance videos had amassed more than 1.3 million TikTok followers even before he appeared on Love Island.
Speaking about his casting, 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!”
Who Else Has Been Confirmed
Mercer’s announcement followed the earlier confirmation of Chris Appleton as the fourth celebrity contestant, joining Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer and Delta Goodrem, who were all confirmed before him. Appleton is best known as a celebrity hairstylist, having worked with stars including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Sofia Vergara, and has described his upcoming stint on Strictly as an opportunity to try something entirely new.
Who Might Be Joining Them
Beyond the confirmed names, further additions to the cast are expected in the coming weeks. Jake Quickenden and Paralympic cycling champion Dame Sarah Storey are among those reported to be in talks to join the 2026 line-up, though neither has yet been officially confirmed by the BBC.
