Love Island star Tasha Ghouri was confirmed to be the sixth celebrity taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing on Wednesday morning.
The blonde beauty, 25, has a large fanbase and is passionate about raising awareness for the deaf community.
However, some eyebrows were raised about her signing due to her professional dance experience and that she was previously linked to Giovanni Pernice – who controversially left the show after being accused of abuse – claims he denies.
Yet it’s unlikely that her involvement with Giovanni will have any effect on the show, as their involvement was limited to dates two years ago, and there will be no hard feelings between the pair because their split was amicable.
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A source previously told MailOnline: ‘Their romance didn’t progress because Giovanni was travelling a lot with the Strictly tour and Tasha was already involved with someone else.’
Tasha Ghouri and Giovanni Pernice’s romance fizzled out because the dancer was travelling a lot with the Strictly tour and the Love Island star was already involved with someone else
Tasha was confirmed to be the sixth celebrity taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing on Wednesday morning
It was said to be Giovanni who pursued the relationship, reaching out to Tasha in January 2022, a month after he won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
He is currently single after splitting from girlfriend Molly Brown last month, while Tasha is dating her Love Island boyfriend Andrew Le Page.
The insider stated: ‘Giovanni was persistent when it came to Tasha.
‘They have a lot in common, both being dancers, and he had just learned a lot about the deaf community performing with Rose on Strictly, who Tasha really admires.
‘Tasha was impressed by how gentlemanly he was, taking her out to top London restaurants and offering to send cars to collect her, but she’s independent and always made her own way to see him.’
Five months later, Tasha appeared on Love Island and became the first star to appear on the show with a cochlear implant, which is an electronic device she had fitted aged five.
The star’s parents learned she was deaf when she was 12 months and growing up Tasha underwent years of speech therapy.
She says the disability has become her ‘superpower’ and before going on Love Island vowed to become an inspiration to the deaf community, like her idol, former Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Tasha told MailOnline in June 2022: ‘I love Strictly and being a dancer, Rose is such an amazing role model it was so powerful what she did. She represented me, as well as the deaf community and I just thought it was awesome. It was a beautiful message.’
Giovanni is currently single after splitting from girlfriend Molly Brown last month, while Tasha is dating her Love Island boyfriend Andrew Le Page (pictured)
Meanwhile Strictly face being embroiled in a new fix row following the signing of Tasha, who is a trained dancer
The news of her joining Strictly was announced on the KISS FM Breakfast Show on Wednesday, with Tasha gushing: ‘Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing!’
‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true. I know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.’
However, Strictly face being embroiled in a new fix row following the signing of Tasha, who is a trained dancer.
MailOnline revealed the reality star has competed in a number of major dance events and featured in music videos, sparking concern she will have an unfair advantage over her celebrity co-stars.
Last year’s series was tainted by accusations that actor Layton Williams, an experienced West End performer, had the upper hand over his opponents due to his extensive dance background.
And Tasha’s participation on the BBC One show could be equally controversial, given she’s been dancing since the age of five and taken part in competitions.
A show insider said: ‘Tasha’s signing has certainly raised a few eyebrows. She’s a dancer by trade as well as a reality star and model, so it feels like she’s too qualified to appear on the show.
‘Tasha is certainly no novice and will always be so far ahead of her co-stars before training has kicked in.
‘There is a feeling her being on Strictly is a touch unfair on everybody else competing, especially those totally new to dance.’
Strictly are unveiling the lineup for their 20th series all week, but on Tuesday night it appeared the full celeb cast had been leaked.
Already Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Toyah Wilcox, Punam Krishnan, Wynne Evans and Pete Wicks have been confirmed alongside Tasha.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age:36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m kind of a bit nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
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