I’m not phased by Strictly controversy…I’m so excited to go on show despite scandals and Curse, says Tasha Ghouri

THERE'S no denying Strictly Come Dancing has been weathering the toughest challenge of its 20-year existence.

The much-loved BBC1 show has been thrown into turmoil over the controversy surrounding the behaviour of some of its professional dancers, including Giovanni Pernice, who denies any wrong doing, as well as Graziano Di Prima, who has been sacked and is said to be suing the channel for unfair dismissal.

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Insiders have claimed that the ripple effect of the scandal meant female celebrities were reluctant to sign up for this year’s show, with only six women in the line-up – its lowest number ever.

But despite counting Giovanni as an ex, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri says she jumped at the chance to be involved in this year’s series.

In fact, the 26 year old has been “manifesting” a spot on the show since leaving the villa in 2022, even writing numerous times in her notes app on her phone: “I will be on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 or 2025.”

“I am very excited,” she says, unable to wipe the smile off her face.

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“I broke down when my management told me. I actually cried, I didn’t believe it at first. I said: ‘No, you’re pranking me!’ I was sitting next to Andrew [Le Page, 29, her boyfriend and fellow Love Islander] in the living room with our dog Luna on the sofa.

"It was the perfect moment to find out. I was just so happy and speechless.

“It is definitely something I’ve dreamed of, so to actually be doing it is mind-blowing. I feel like it’s not fully kicked in yet.

“I’ve been [writing the notes] since February 2023 as a manifestation, and it must have worked!”

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Me and Giovanni – it’s ancient history. I’m so happy with Andrew

Was she not at all worried about the previous reports of bullying and abusive behaviour by professional dancers towards their celebrity partners?

“I wasn’t there – I’m here for my own experience on the show. So I’m focusing on myself to just really enjoy it,” she says. 

Tasha, who was born completely deaf and, aged five, received a cochlear implant to help her hear, has her own secret weapon to help her progress on the show – she’s been getting tips from 2021 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was Strictly’s first deaf contestant.

“Rose reached out with some great advice, which I was really appreciative of,” she explains.

“As a Glitterball winner, her support gave me a huge confidence boost. Even though our hearing experiences differ, she totally gets where I might face challenges and shared some valuable tips. 

"I watched Rose and she was absolutely incredible on the show. She inspired me to put myself out there and go on Love Island. 

“I will always be massively thankful to Rose, because she really opened the door for me, for all of us.

"So, hopefully, I do well on the show, follow in her footsteps and make people in the deaf community proud as well.”

Rose was, of course, partnered with Giovanni, 33, who slid into Tasha’s DMs about six months before her stint on the eighth series of Love Island.

The pair dated briefly, and she’s understandably reluctant to talk about their short romance today. 

“I’ve met up with him a few times,” Tasha admits.

“But that was years ago. We are not in touch now, this is like ancient history. I’m so happy with Andrew, and he’s my future, so I don’t want to talk about the past.

"It’s not my place to comment on [the allegations against Giovanni]. I’m here for my own experiences. I’m here just for me.”

Tasha, 26, also has the backing of her Love Island friend Zara McDermott, who competed in Strictly last year with Graziano. He was sacked after BBC bosses were shown shocking videos, including one of him allegedly kicking her.

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She explains: “Zara reached out and said ‘well done’. She’s been super-supportive. I supported her when she was on the show. She was incredible.”

To be fair, there’s not much that would shake Tasha. After all, she’s had to overcome more than most in her life. 

Unable to speak until she was fitted with her cochlear implant, she struggled at school, because as soon as teachers turned their backs to write on the blackboard, she couldn’t lip read.

She went on to forge a successful career as a model, becoming Love Island’s first deaf contestant in 2022, but even then was targeted by trolls who mocked her voice. 

I won’t always know what’s being said, but I’m excited to be challenged

Now, she’s ready to tackle the challenges of competing on Strictly with hearing difficulties head on.

“Strictly has been so supportive and said whatever I need, to let them know,” Tasha explains.

“I’ll need to be able to lip read and people will need to be on my right side [where she has her implant].

“There are going to be times when I won’t know what is being said. It’s just something I have to try and adapt to. I don’t know how it’s going to be with the live shows until I do them, but I’m super-excited to challenge myself.

“I’ve never danced to a live band before, so that will be an interesting experience, as I hear music by vibration. The band will be so loud, I’ll definitely be able to feel it.

"But in terms of lyrics, I don’t really hear them, so I have to Google them. Half the time, I’m singing the words wrong,” she says. 

“I want to use my time on the show to share my story and let people know what it’s like growing up with a disability. I want to be a voice for people because I didn’t have that growing up.

"I want them to feel like they can be confident wearing their hair up and showing off their implant.

"When people tell me things like that, I feel like I’ve done my purpose of raising awareness. I call it my superpower, because it’s something I’m really passionate about.”

Tasha trained as a professional dancer and has even appeared in a MNEK music video, as well as being pictured with Strictly pro Johannes Radebe at a community dance workshop in front of Queen Camilla earlier this year – so how will she cope with criticism that it might give her an unfair advantage?

“I’ve had commercial dance training, but I’ve never trained in Latin or ballroom. Commercial is very different – it’s what you see backing dancers do behind pop stars.

"You are very grounded to the floor and you are very in yourself, whereas ballroom is completely the opposite of that. I’ve never danced with a partner, either.

"We did a chemistry day with the [Strictly] professionals, and even holding that form felt so odd to me. It’s something I’m not used to and will be a whole new challenge. 

“Obviously, with my dance experience, there will be some elements that will help me, like picking up choreography, but it’s not going to be the same.

"Even in my audition for Strictly I struggled a bit as my brain was like: ‘Oh, this is a whole new dance style,’ and there are so many steps and so many counts.

"There might be some habits that I’m going to have to unlearn and relearn, too. It’s a whole different ball game, but I’m excited just to give it a go. I might not be good at it – you never know!”

Give me everything! The feathers, the sequins, the glitter – I want it all!

Tasha admits she’s incredibly competitive, so does that mean she has got her eyes on the Glitterball trophy?

“I’d be happy if I even lasted a week – winning would be an absolute bonus. I’d love to do Musicals Week then I’d like to make it to Blackpool because of that incredible ballroom…

“OK, I do want to make it to the end,” she laughs. “Being in the final would be an absolute dream, but there are some dark horses for sure. I’m taking each week as it comes.

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"I don’t want to look back and think: ‘I wish I had enjoyed this more.’ I’ve had quite a few [costume] fittings, which is exciting. It’s a complete transformation and I feel very Strictly.

"I said to the costume team: ‘Give me everything! The feathers, the diamonds, the sequins, the glitter. 

I want it all!’ The costume team is insane.

“I’ve never used fake tan before. But I want the full experience, so whack it on me! Go for it, get me Strictified. No regrets,” she laughs.

Getting the Glitterball and an engagement ring would be iconic

Then there’s the dreaded Strictly Curse, which has caused more than 20 relationships to break up – something she and Andrew are not worried about in the slightest.

“No, it’s actually quite laughable, the whole ‘Strictly Curse’,” she rolls her eyes.

“I’m professional, I’m here to do a job, to provide entertainment, to dance, and so that’s not on my mind at all. Andrew was so happy for me. 

“He said: ‘I always believed that you would do it.’ It’s so exciting, because we’re both on this journey together and seeing what the future will hold for both of us after this.”

And he has no concerns at all about Tasha getting up close with those hot pro dancers?

“No,” she shakes her head. “He knows that is something that comes with dance training. There are no feelings or romance behind it, it’s purely just two people enjoying dancing together.

"Andrew is going to come down to the show, and I got him a T-shirt to wear that says ‘Team Tasha’ on it with my face. I think he was a bit embarrassed, but hopefully he will wear it!”

There are not many Love Island couples that go the distance, with even much-loved Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury recently splitting. As one of the few success stories, what is Tasha and Andrew’s secret?

“I don’t know Molly or Tommy personally, but I wish them both the best. I hope they’re both OK. You know, break-ups are not nice, especially in the public eye.

“I always tell Love Islanders that after you leave the show, it’s all about communication. When you come out of the villa, it’s quite an overload.

"There’s a lot going on, but the key thing is actually talking. There were times when me and Andrew wouldn’t really see each other for a few weeks, but we always communicated and supported each other.

"We also make time for each other, too. It’s about having that balance.

“We moved into our new house in February – it’s a renovation project. There are no kids any time soon. We just want to enjoy our time together and make memories.”

And what about a proposal – could she be finishing the year with both the Glitterball and a ring on her finger?

“Well, that would be iconic,” she laughs. “It’s up to Andrew, isn’t it? I want to be completely surprised when it happens. I don’t even want to know anything. So I’ve no idea – it’s in his hands.” 

• The new series of Strictly Come Dancing starts on Saturday, on BBC1 and iPlayer.

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