Strictly pro Maddie Ingoldsby hits back and says 'I'm doing my best' after being criticised for 'letting down' Cach Mercer with her choreography

Strictly Come Dancing star Maddie Ingoldsby has claimed she is 'doing her best' after she has been accused of 'letting down' her partner Cach Mercer.

The professional dancer, who joined the show this year, has been picked up on her choreography skills throughout the series with some saying it is 'unfair' on Cach.

Seemingly responding to the commentary in a new TikTok, Maddie, 21, lip-synced to a viral sound which asks 'angel what do you do?' she replied: 'My best.'

Judge Motsi Mabuse was particularly critical of Cach and Maddie after their cha-cha-cha to Beggin' by Måneskin during Saturday night's episode of the show.

The pairing scored 24 points out of 40 for their performance, after being given five from Craig, seven from Motsi, five from Shirley and seven from Anton. 

Noting the lack of technical steps in the routine, Motsi told the former Love Island star: 'It would have been a disaster but was saved by your talent.'

Motsi acknowledged his natural dancing ability, energy and freestyle talent, but felt these weren't enough to make the routine a successful cha-cha-cha. 

Her remarks were interpreted by fans as criticism of the choreography, which they felt relied too heavily on Cach's natural style instead of the proper Latin technique.

Sharing their thoughts on X, viewers said: 'Maddie has no place in this show she can't even choerograph the basics - or the fundamentals of the dance. Sorry an all but she's the one hindering Cach'; 'I doubt Will. Probably John or Cach. For Cach, if Maddie can get the choreography right, he stands a chance to join these lots';

'Just how many times will Cach be given choreography that is not the dance he is supposed to be doing? And when will he and Maddie say thank you after getting voted through by the public?';

'Maddie is a great dancer, but can someone support her with the choreography here? Cos Cach could do the technical moves needed and have a fantastic dance #Strictly'; 'Maddie's choreography continues to really bother me, there was SO little cha cha content in there. Cach would've done much better with another partner who could've pushed him into doing the basics of the dance instead of freestyling all the time';

'Cach did the dance well, but I did not like the choreography. And he and Maddie were not in sync'; 'If Maddie doesn't change her style or choreography then I'm afraid Cach won't make the final four.'

Elsewhere during the episode, Delta Goodrem bagged the first 10 of the series as she made a triumphant return to the dancefloor.

The singer, 41, was ordered to rest by doctors and received a pass through to the next round after a rib injury left her unable to train last week.

But the Australian star and partner Kai Widdrington, 31, were back with a bang in week five as they scored a whopping 34 points thanks to their sensational Rumba to It's All Coming Back To Me by Celine Dion.

Delta was showered with praise by the impressed judges, none more so than Anton Du Beke, who gushed that he 'loved' the performance and hailed it 'my favourite dance of the series by a million miles'.

However with the former pro pulling out his '10' paddle for the first time this series, fans blasted him for overmarking the star, with some saying he'd 'lost the plot' this week.

Taking to X, fans made their feelings clear, remarking that while Delta's routine was great, it was not worthy of a 10.

They penned: 'Wow!! I loved Delta and Kai's rumba, it was gorgeous. But it didn't deserve the first 10 of the series. Come on.'

'10 for that dance, nah anton has lost the plot, has anton taken his medication tonight, 10 for that dance no way.'

'delta and kai were amazing but i cannot see it as the first 10 of the series i’m so sorry anton, what are we doing tonight.'

'she was really good but a 10 and dance of the series from anton? really?'

'Has Antontaken leave of his senses? Where does he go from here?'

'Anton ruining #Strictly with a 10 - absolute nonsense.'

'Anton picking random numbers for his scores tonight.'

Earlier in the show, viewers had shared their delight at Delta's comeback as she and Kai joined their fellow contestants in the studio. 

Delta flashed a radiant smile as host Johannes Radebe gave a 'warm welcome back' to the couple following their absence.

Taking to X, viewers expressed their joy at the singer's return as she seemingly recovered from her painful injury.

They penned: 'WELCOME BACK DELTA GOODREM!'

'It's great to see Delta back'; 'Delta is back and gorgeous as ever'.

'Good to have Delta back. Hope she's okay.'

'Delta being back is the best news ever. Strictly would loose a diamond'

'So thrilled Delta’s back on that floor this week, I’m hoping she knocks her dance out.' of the park.'

The Sydney-born star managed to perform a Salsa during week three of the competition, keeping her top of the leaderboard for the second consecutive week.

But it was only hours after the live broadcast that she was brought to hospital as she struggled to sleep through her pain.

Doctors ordered Delta to rest, as well as sleep upright to aid her recovery.

Long-established Strictly rules state that a contestant is allowed one free pass before they have to withdraw from the competition. 

Earlier in the day, the singer detailed the extent of her injury in an emotional video posted on Instagram.

Recording herself daily, the video began with Delta in hospital the Sunday following her injury.

'This is very painful, praying that this is OK. Feeling a little nauseous from the pain,' she said.

The video then jumped to Monday, where Delta held back tears as she explained: 'They explained that it is fracturing my rib, which I feel very, very gutted about. 

'Hopefully I'll get back next week, that's the plan. Thanks everyone for the support, I'm just super disappointed.'

Tuesday's clip then saw the singer breaking down in tears to the camera, with the star holding her head in her hands.

After the emotional clip, Delta appeared happier the following days as she began to walk and catch up with pro partner Kai Widdrington.

Clips then showed the duo back in training, with her telling fans she's 'so happy to be back'.

Captioning the post, Delta wrote: 'I filmed little moments over the past two weeks to remind myself that even on the frustrating days, there would be progress.

'I was gutted when the injury happened as I've been truly loving this experience so much. It's hard to be patient when you want to be full force again but I've been listening, taking things carefully and learning to appreciate the small steps!