I wasn’t surprised to hear that Strictly bosses paired Cach Mercer with new professional dancer Maddie Ingoldsby.The 25-year-old Love Island winner and his 21-year-old dance partner are both attractive and single.Insiders tell me that Strictly bosses are hopeful that the on-screen pairing could produce something far more than just a glitterball, with whispers that they want a romance to blossom.‘It’s not surprising there is chatter about him and Maddie. They’re two good-looking young people spending a lot of time together. Every year there is a romance story, perhaps this year it will be them,’ says a source close to Cach.It could certainly help distract from the mounting criticism the show has faced in recent weeks, particularly after former hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were replaced with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.And I’ve heard that Maddie, who is a UK national Ballroom Champion, was hired just as much for her dancing skills as her large social media following – she has over 68,000 followers on Instagram alone.So with Cach’s background in street dancing and his large public presence, could they be the perfect match?While we’re yet to see whether their relationship turns romantic, I’ve heard that Cach has a more carefully devised plan of his own. Love Island winner Cach Mercer has been paired with new professional dancer Maddie Ingoldsby for this series of Strictly Come Dancing Cach is still largely connected with his ex Toni Laites, with whom he won Love Island‘His friends are hoping the show will allow him to establish himself away from Love Island and his former relationship with another Love Islander,’ says my insider.‘There is so much hope that Strictly will give him the opportunity to build on the qualities which made viewers warm to him in the first place, while showing an entirely different side of himself.’Although it’s been over a year since he left the villa, Cach is still largely connected with his ex Toni Laites, with whom he won Love Island.The pair met on the show last year when he entered the villa as a Casa Amor bombshell – a new contestant sent in to shake-up existing couples.At the time Toni was embroiled in an on-off relationship with Harrison Solomon, but seemed to draw a line under it when Cach quickly won her over. But their partnership was full of ups and downs, particularly when Toni chose to re-couple with Harrison after committing to Cach.Although Cach was left heartbroken, it proved to be one of the defining moments from his time at the villa.He broke down in tears on the terrace, where he was comforted by his friend Ty Isherwood. It was an unusual moment for a reality show contestant – and one which helped endear him to the public.Indeed, his vulnerability has already become a significant part of Cach’s persona today, having landed an ambassadorship with mental health charity YoungMinds UK.Now Cach hopes that dancing on Strictly could help distance him from Toni.It seems he’s already on the right track, as the early stages of Cach and Maddie’s partnership have already proved a success with fans. Cach and Maddie performed the quickstep to Bruno Mars’s I Just Might on the show last weekAfter being paired up last month, they wasted no time in taking to social media to post videos participating in dance-offs together, earning the name ‘Mach’.As if that wasn’t enough to keep the chatter going, last week they were spotted having lunch at west London cafe Hazel’s, where onlookers said they looked ‘happy as Larry’.The pair were put to the test last week in their first live show, performing the quickstep to Bruno Mars’s I Just Might, as Cach’s best friends and fellow Love Islanders Harry Cooksley and Connor Phillips supported from the audience.Once the show ended, Cach was quick to praise his new partner online.‘Absolutely amazing experience, thank you @maddieingoldsby for everything it’s been amazing learning the quickstep with you,’ he wrote on Instagram.‘It was such an honour to be able to express myself on that dance floor. Thank you to all the judges for your feedback, I can’t wait to do it all again next week!’Maddie replied: ‘Thank you for making my first time on the ballroom floor so memorable. I’m so incredibly proud of the hard work that you put into that routine!’Viewers have certainly cottoned on, with one saying on social media: ‘I smell chemistry.’While their dance for this week is yet to be confirmed, I have no doubt that Cach will sweep Maddie off her feet.Influencer trades digital world for dramatics Comedian and influencer Munya Chawawa is making his stage acting debut in West SussexInfluencer Munya Chawawa is swapping social media for Shakespeare as he makes his stage acting debut in a 1990s-style adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The 33-year-old content creator, who has 1.8 million TikTok followers, is currently playing Bottom at Chichester Festival Theatre in West Sussex.Chawawa became popular online for creating comedy characters including upper-class drill rapper Unknown P and chef Jonny Oliver. He is also known for political satire and impersonations of politicians.After eight years on social media, Chawawa has moved into other areas of entertainment. He has made two Bafta-nominated documentaries, appeared on Taskmaster and performed stand-up comedy.His goal, he says, is to move ‘on to something bigger and on to a new challenge’. Will his online supporters follow him to the stage?Stacey’s new home could be set for the spotlight Stacey Solomon has bought a new mansion and shared content about her September moveI predict Stacey Solomon’s new house won’t just be a home. It will soon turn into a film set. For it won’t be long until TV bosses come knocking with an offer for a home makeover show.Stacey has already made a name for herself as a presenter, while her love of DIY, interiors and transforming spaces has become a big part of her public image. So why not put it all on screen?I can easily imagine cameras following Stacey as she decorates and renovates – with plenty of tips, mishaps and family life thrown in.
UP Jen Graham, also known as Charity Shop Girl, promoting The Salvation ArmyWho said influencing was all about hauls and holidays? This week, creators are using their platforms for good, with Charity Shop Girl (Jen Graham), Besma Whayeb and Laura Puddy teaming up with The Salvation Army to champion sustainable fashion and textile donations. By promoting the charity’s new Donate By Post service to highlight how easy it is to give unwanted clothes a second life, these influencers are proving social media can make a positive difference.DOWN Melissa Tattam and Ruby Adler, who host the podcast Wednesdays togetherWhat is it with influencers messing up whilst speaking on their podcasts? Former Made In Chelsea stars Melissa Tatum and Ruby Adler, who host their podcast Wednesdays, seemed to show their true colours last week when they made some disrespectful comments about women playing netball. ‘I don’t think you could pay me enough to come. You have free will and you’re using it that way to go and play netball? I just can’t imagine trekking to Battersea on a Tuesday night to play Goal Attack,’ said Ruby.
With star players Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice all pulling out of England’s upcoming Nations League matches, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has been called up by manager Thomas Tuchel.And joining him in the spotlight, I suspect, will be girlfriend Britney De Villiers. With hundreds of thousands of followers already, Britney has a sizeable social media platform of her own. Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White with his girlfriend Britney De VilliersNow she’s dating an England player, I wouldn’t be surprised if she uses her following as a springboard for something much bigger.Could she be the next Victoria Beckham or Coleen Rooney? It certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Watch this space…
TikTok’s female sporting community is coming out in full force to show what sport genuinely means to them. And, more importantly, to reclaim the conversation around women’s bodies in the field after that Sydney Sweeney advert.From weightlifter @ellalifts sharing the reality of strength and training, to swimmers @mia_vallee1, Lily (@ the_swimfluencer) and @jesspodgerfitness showing the dedication they give to their sport, these creators are offering something refreshingly real. It’s not about looking perfect or fitting a certain body type – it’s about strength, commitment, confidence and simply enjoying sport.
Email me – molly.clayton@dailymail.co.ukInstagram – @mollyroseclaytonTikTok – @mollclayton