The sixth celebrity confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 series is Love Island beauty Tasha Ghouri.
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 model is passionate about raising awareness for the deaf community.
She appeared on ITV’s Love Island in 2022, and since then has amassed a following of over 2.2 million across her social media network.
Tasha has worked with Number 10 Downing Street, The Department of Education and MED-AL to champion issues close to her heart. She is a published author with her debut novel ‘Hits Different’ and has her own podcast, ‘Superpowers with Tasha’.
The sixth celebrity confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 series is Love Island beauty Tasha Ghouri
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
Announcing the news on the KISS FM Breakfast Show on Wednesday Tasha gushed: ‘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.’
Strictly face being embroiled in a new fix row following the signing of Tasha though, who is a trained dancer.
MailOnline revealed the former Love Island star, 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 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.’
Tasha became the first Love Island star to appear on the show with a cochlear implant, which 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.’
