Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri – who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions

Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions

As a seasoned dance enthusiast myself, I can’t help but feel a pang of empathy for these professional dancers who find themselves tangoing with amateurs on Strictly Come Dancing. Having spent countless hours twirling and pirouetting across various stages, I understand the passion and dedication that goes into mastering the art of dance.


As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed some buzz surrounding Strictly Come Dancing, with whispers of a potential scandal brewing after the addition of Tasha Ghouri, a seasoned dancer, to the lineup.

TopMob discloses that the ex-Love Island star, aged 25, boasts a history of participating in significant dance competitions and making appearances in music videos. This raises speculation about whether she might enjoy an edge in terms of fair competition compared to her fellow celebrity cast members.

The previous season’s competition faced allegations that Layton Williams, a skilled actor with a strong background in dance from the West End, may have held an unfair advantage against his fellow competitors due to his extensive dance training.

Tasha’s involvement in the BBC One program might also stir up debates, considering she has been dancing since she was five years old and has participated in various competitions.

An individual familiar with the production commented: “Tasha’s casting has definitely sparked some curiosity. Given that she’s a professional dancer, a reality television personality, and a model, many find it intriguing that she might be overqualified for the program.”

Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions
Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions
Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions
Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions

Tasha is definitely not a beginner, and she will consistently outperform her fellow actors even before the training process begins. (or) Tasha’s experience sets her apart; she consistently surpasses her co-stars even prior to the start of training.

It seems that having her on Strictly could potentially give an unfair advantage to everyone else who’s competing, particularly the ones who are completely new to dancing.

Tasha was the initial Love Island contestant to join the series while wearing a cochlear implant, a hearing aid she received at age five.

They discovered their child, the star, was deaf at 12 months old. Throughout her childhood, Tasha received extensive speech therapy sessions.

She views her disability as a unique strength, and prior to entering Love Island, she promised to serve as an inspiration for the deaf community, much like her role model, former Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis.

In June 2022, Tasha shared with TopMob that she admires Rose deeply due to her incredible performance on Strictly Come Dancing. Rose’s actions were incredibly powerful, serving not only as an inspiration for Tasha but also representing the deaf community. Tasha was simply in awe of this empowering message that Rose conveyed.

She found her partner, Andrew Le Page, on a dating program, and since then, they’ve jointly bought a property in Guernsey that they’re currently working on renovations for together.

A personality from reality shows has shared that dancing has significantly helped her ‘journey of hearing,’ as she synchronizes her movements with the rhythmic vibrations, similar to Rose, the 2021 Glitter Ball champion who is deeply deaf, in her dance experience.

TopMob has contacted Strictly and Tasha’s representative for comment. 

Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions
Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions
Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions
Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions

Rose teamed up with former dance partner Giovanni Pernice, who once had a brief romance with Tasha. This connection may not silence the chatter about her dancing background.

At the Creative Academy in Slough, Tasha received her top-tier bachelor’s degree in Dance Performance after completing rigorous training there.

After gaining the qualification, she bagged her first job in the industry at a French ski resort.

In the Folie Douce bar, Tasha expressed that it felt like a fulfillment of her dreams. She danced at great heights amidst the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped mountains and sunlit afternoons.

At the significant European dance competition known as Move It, she was awarded the principal role of Wonder Woman too.

Tasha features in multiple music videos, such as MNEK ft. Sleepwalker’s promo “More Than Words,” where she danced together with deaf dancers to showcase the deaf community.

As an ardent advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, I’ve been fortunate enough to secure a spot in the upcoming 2024 series. This esteemed lineup includes notables such as former footballer Paul Merson, comedian Chris McClausland who bravely navigates his blindness, and the ever-popular TV host Nick Knowles.

Previously professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, James Jordan, expressed apprehension about the program’s recent habit of recruiting celebrities who have a dance background.

It seems incongruous with the spirit of Strictly that beginners have no opportunity to win the ballroom competition, according to him.

Strictly Come Dancing accused of a fix after signing ANOTHER trained dance contestant: Bosses face backlash over Love Island's Tasha Ghouri - who starred in music videos and competed in major competitions

He expressed his opinion that Strictly Crossing the Line with the inclusion of professionally-trained ID dancers, agreeing it’s a step too far.

As someone who has danced for years and participated in Strictly Come Dancing myself, I strongly advise anyone considering it to have some dance training under their belt before giving it a go. Without prior experience, your chances of success are slim to none.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve noticed that some remarkable women in the entertainment industry, such as Ashley Roberts of The Pussycat Dolls, Kimberley Walsh from Girls Aloud, Maisie Smith of EastEnders, and Fleur East, former X Factor contestant, have faced scrutiny regarding their dance abilities prior to performances. However, I firmly believe that everyone’s journey in mastering a skill is unique, and we should appreciate the effort and passion they put into their craft.

On the contrary, several stage-school-trained performers assert that their extensive dance training may work against them when it comes to public voting.

Actor Molly Rainford, who was once a student at Sylvia Young, attributed her consistent appearances in the unfavorable dance-off rounds to her background from a stage school.

Speaking in 2022, she said: ‘I think potentially that could have been a factor.’

Read More

2024-08-01 12:50

Previous post Nick Knowles, 61, and his fiancée Katie Dadzie, 33, stock up on plants for a garden makeover on low-key outing ahead of his ‘stint on Strictly’
Next post James Nesbitt’s past UK crime drama is now on Netflix