Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by backlash after signing two professionally trained dancers for the new series of the BBC dance show.
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri was announced as the latest celebrity in the line-up on Wednesday morning, however some fans questioned her signing.
It comes after JLS star JB Gill’s inclusion on the show raised some eyebrows among fans due to his previous dance background.
Tasha, 25, has competed in a number of major dance events and featured in music videos, sparking concern she will have an unfair advantage over her co-stars.
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.
Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by backlash after signing two professionally trained dancers for the new series of the BBC dance show
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri was announced as the latest celebrity in the line-up on Wednesday morning, however some fans questioned her signing
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 announced in a social media that Tasha would be joining the 20th anniversary series on Wednesday morning.
While many congratulated the reality personality, who is the first contestant to appear with a cochlear implant, others suggested it was unfair.
They said: ‘Another trainer dancer – when will the BBC learn’; ‘Love her but a professional dancer’; ‘Isn’t she a professional dancer in her own right?’; ‘Isn’t this an unfair advantage’; ‘Disappointing when she’s actually a dancer’; ‘Is she not a professional dancer?’
However, others jumped to her defence and insisted she wasn’t trained as a professional ballroom dancer and therefore isn’t at an advantage.
They said: ‘Bro she isn’t a professional ballroom dancer’; ‘It’s the same with Layton. Yes he is a professional dancer but not in ballroom and Latin’; ‘I feel like she will be amazing’; “She is a trained dancer” name me someone who works in showbiz who hasn’t had dance experience who is in their 20s/30s.
While many congratulated the reality personality, who is the first contestant to appear with a cochlear implant, others suggested it was unfair
Tasha, 25, has competed in a number of major dance events and featured in music videos, sparking concern she will have an unfair advantage over her co-stars
‘These people have grown up watching Strictly and are worthy of a place in the line up. Good luck Tasha you’re a fantastic contestant xxxx’; ‘Please all the “she’s a professional dancer! comments. Ballroom and Latin is a completely different discipline so a new skill to be learnt. Looking forward to watching you Tasha Ghouri, you’re going to be fantastic!’
‘Ooh she will be fab but get ready for the hate “she’s a dancer it’s sooo unfair! well Karen’s I love to see someone that’s got rhythm already rather than Ann Widdecombe getting slung about the floor.’
It comes as JB also found himself facing fan backlash over his previous dance experience.
The JLS star, 37, was announced on Monday as the second celebrity contestant to sign up to the BBC dance show, joining comedian Chris McCauseland in the lineup.
However, while many fans were pleased with the announcement, some have shared their displeasure due to JB’s has previous dance background.
The singer previously appeared on – and won – the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2012, where he was partnered with pro Ola Jordan.
While in 2017, JB appeared alongside wife Chloe Gill – who is a professional dancer – in ITV show Dance Dance Dance, with the couple finishing up in third place.
However, others jumped to her defence and insisted she wasn’t trained as a professional ballroom dancer and therefore isn’t at an advantage
JB found himself facing fan backlash over his previous dance experience
Some have shared their displeasure due to JB’s has previous dance background, echoing the backlash over Love Island star Tasha Ghouri’s reported signing
JB even previously told how Chloe gave him a helping hand with his training for Strictly’s Christmas show, remarking: ‘She wants me to do well, and she’s very much in my corner.
‘I remember when I did the Christmas special, she was great in rehearsals because she was really championing me and helping me to work out little bits that I didn’t find natural. It’s good to have that support.’
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, TV fans were to point out JB’s previous dance experience, while also noting he’s a ‘good dancer’ due to his frequent moves with boyband JLS.
‘I don’t agree with you have JB Gill on strictly if has already been on the show for the Christmas special back in 2012 and he won it. Get people on who haven’t danced.’
‘JB Gill was on Dance, Dance, Dance with his wife Chloe wasn’t he? They came 3rd place. She’s a professional dancer isn’t she?’
‘JB been on Xmas #Strictly and #Dancedancedance’.
‘I’m pretty sure he has been on another dance show before apart from Strictly Xmas show and is a pretty good dancer.’
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.
The singer previously appeared on – and won – the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2012, where he was partnered with pro Ola Jordan [pictured]
While in 2017, JB appeared alongside wife Chloe Gill – who is a professional dancer – in ITV show Dance Dance Dance, with the couple finishing up in third place [pictured]
JB even previously told how Chloe gave him a helping hand with his training for Strictly’s Christmas show [JB and Chloe on Dance Dance Dance]
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, TV fans were to point out JB’s previous dance experience, while also noting he’s a ‘good dancer’ due to his frequent moves with boyband JLS
Tasha trained at Creative Academy in Slough, where she graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Dance Performance
The reality star was given the lead role of Wonder Woman at a dance event called Move It, one of the biggest competitions in Europe
Tasha became the first Love Island 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.’
She met boyfriend Andrew Le Page on the dating show and the couple have since purchased a home they are renovating together in Guernsey.
The reality personality has told how dancing has aided her ‘hearing journey’ and she’s able to move in time with the vibrations, much like 2021 Glitter Ball winner Rose, who is profoundly deaf.
MailOnline has contacted Strictly and Tasha’s representative for comment.
Tasha became the first Love Island star to appear on the show with a cochlear implant, which is an electronic device she had fitted aged five
She met boyfriend Andrew Le Page on the dating show and the couple have since purchased a home they are renovating together in Guernsey
Tasha has previously shared her love for Strictly Come Dancing, performing alongside the professionals and practicing the choreography from her living room
She has shared several dance routines on her TikTok profile, impressing her fanbase with her moves
Rose was partnered with axed Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, who previously enjoyed a fling with Tasha, which will do little to drown out the noise surrounding her dancing pedigree.
Tasha trained at Creative Academy in Slough, where she graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Dance Performance.
After gaining the qualification, she bagged her first job in the industry at a French ski resort.
Speaking about her time dancing in the Folie Douce bar, Tasha said: ‘It was such a dream come true. I got to dance high up in the mountains with the view of the snow and dreamy sunny days.’
Related Post
She was also given the lead role of Wonder Woman at a dance event called Move It, one of the biggest competitions in Europe.
Tasha has appeared in various music videos, including a promo for British artist MNEK ft. Sleepwalkr called More Than Words in which she performed alongside dancers with hearing loss to highlight the deaf community.
Her work raising awareness for the disability has helped her bag a place on the 2024 series, alongside stars including ex-footballer Paul Merson, blind comedian Chris McClausland and TV host Nick Knowles.
Former Strictly pro James Jordan has voiced his concern at the show’s trend of signing up celebrities with dance backgrounds.
Indeed, he believes novices to the ballroom now have no chance of winning, which jars with the Strictly spirit.
Tasha has appeared in various music videos, including a promo for British artist MNEK
He said: ‘Do I feel Strictly are going too far by bringing on professionally trained l dancers? Yes.
‘I would actually say to anyone thinking of doing Strictly, ‘Don’t do Strictly unless you’re dance trained in some shape or form because you don’t have a chance.’
Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, EastEnders actress Maisie Smith and X Factor star Fleur East have all been subjected to criticism for their pre-show dance experience.
However, many stage school trained participants have claimed their dance knowledge has counted against them in regard to the public voted.
Actress Molly Rainford, a former Sylvia Young pupil, blamed her stage school background for repeatedly ending up in the dreaded dance off.
Speaking in 2022, she said: ‘I think potentially that could have been a factor.’
