Amongst the glittering line-up this year this Cach Mercer, who many will recognise from his time on Love Island last year, in which he was so popular that he won the show alongside Toni Laites.
Cach will be following in the footsteps of former Love Islanders Zara McDermott, Tasha Ghouri and Amber Davies, all of whom have taken part in the series. He will also be joined be a fellow Love Island winner this year as Dani Dyer returns to compete after withdrawing from the competition last year due to an injury.
So, just who is Cach Mercer? Read on to find out more about the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant.
Who is Cach Mercer?
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.
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 begins on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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