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Love Island star Tasha Ghouri was confirmed to be the sixth celebrity to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing on Wednesday morning.
The 25-year-old blonde beauty has a huge fan base and is passionate about raising awareness for the deaf community.
However, some eyebrows were raised over her signing due to her professional dancing background and that she was previously linked to Giovanni Pernice, who controversially left the show after being accused of abuse – claims he denies.
However, her involvement with Giovanni is unlikely to have any effect on the show, as their involvement was limited to dating two years ago, and there will be no hard feelings between the pair as their split was amicable.
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 failed because the dancer was travelling too much for the Strictly tour and the Love Island star was already involved with someone else.
Tasha was confirmed to be the sixth celebrity to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing on Wednesday morning.
It was said to be Giovanni who continued the relationship and approached Tasha in January 2022, a month after winning 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 source stated: ‘Giovanni was persistent when it came to Tasha.
‘They have a lot in common, they’re both dancers, and he’s just learned a lot about the deaf community performing with Rose on Strictly, who Tasha really admires.
‘Tasha was impressed by his gentlemanly behaviour, taking her to the best restaurants in London and offering to send cars to pick her up, but she is independent and always found her own way to see him.’
Five months later, Tasha appeared on Love Island and became the first star to He appears on the show with a cochlear implant, which is an electronic device that was fitted to him when he was five years old..
The star’s parents learned she was deaf when she was 12 months old, and as she grew up, Tasha underwent years of speech therapy.
She says disability has become her “superpower” and before going on Love Island she 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 as a dancer, Rose is an amazing role model. What she did was so powerful. She represented me and the deaf community and I thought it was amazing. 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 faces a fresh row over the hiring 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 this show since I was little. It’s a Ghouri family favourite so it’s a dream come true. I know it will be an unforgettable experience and I look forward to performing and making everyone on the dance floor proud.”
However, Strictly faces a new set-up problem following the signing of Tasha, who is a trained dancer.
MailOnline revealed the reality star has competed in several major dance events and appeared in music videos, raising concerns she will have an unfair advantage over her celebrity co-stars.
Last year’s series was marred by allegations that actor Layton Williams, a seasoned West End performer, had an advantage over his opponents because of his extensive dance background.
And Tasha’s participation in the BBC One show could be equally controversial, given that she has been dancing since the age of five and has taken part in competitions.
A source from the show said: “Tasha’s casting has certainly raised eyebrows. She is a professional dancer, as well as a reality star and model, so it seems she is overqualified to appear on the show.”
‘Tasha is certainly no rookie and will always be way ahead of her co-stars before they begin training.
“There’s a feeling that her presence on Strictly is a little unfair to everyone else competing, especially those who are totally new to dancing.”
Strictly has been revealing the line-up for its 20th series all week, but on Tuesday night it appeared the full celebrity cast had been leaked.
Already confirmed alongside Tasha are Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Toyah Wilcox, Punam Krishnan, Wynne Evans and Pete Wicks.
STRICTLY 2024 LINEUP
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: “If anyone is thinking, ‘How the hell is he going to do that?’ rest assured, I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: unknown
Profession: Family doctor and announcer
Punam says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels even more special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe it’s me who’s going to be on Strictly now.’
Willcox Toy Store
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: “I’m so excited and I love this show. Being a part of it, the spray tan and the glow. It’s a landmark year for me. I came in as a retiree, went to Glasto and now I’m spray tanning.”
Pete Wicks
Age:36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: “Dancing live in front of the whole country every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: “A lot of ballroom dance styles are very foreign to me. I didn’t do those dances as a kid. I’m not a professional dancer.”
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The things that make me nervous are the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I get a little 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 Ghouri family favourite so this is totally a dream come true.’
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