Strictly comes under fire for signing ‘another trained dancer’ as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

As a dance enthusiast who has spent countless hours practicing and perfecting my moves, I must confess that reading about Tasha Ghouri‘s journey in dance brings a sense of familiarity and admiration. Much like her, I too started my dance journey at a young age, training rigorously to hone my skills.


The latest season of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has faced criticism following the recruitment of two experienced dancers.

On a recent Wednesday morning, it was revealed that Love Island favorite Tasha Ghouri would join the roster of celebrities. Yet, certain fans raised doubts about her inclusion in the lineup.

Fans were surprised when JB Gill, a former member of the JLS band, joined the show given his past experience in dancing.

At the age of 25, Tasha has participated in several significant dance competitions and made appearances in music videos, leading to speculation that she might hold an upper hand against her fellow cast members due to her extensive experience.

Tasha’s involvement in the BBC One program might spark some debate, considering she has been dancing since she was just five years old and has competed in various events.

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

An individual familiar with the production mentioned: “Tasha’s casting has definitely sparked some surprise. Given that she’s both a professional dancer and a reality TV personality along with her modeling work, it seems she may be overqualified for the program.”

Tasha is definitely not a beginner; she consistently outperforms her fellow actors even before the training period begins.

It seems somewhat unfair to everyone else competing, particularly the novices, that she’s on Strictly Come Dancing.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve learned, via social media, that Tasha will be part of our 20th anniversary series, effective from Wednesday morning.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’ve been following the recent commotion surrounding the reality star who made history by being the first contestant with a cochlear implant. While some celebrated this groundbreaking milestone, others raised concerns about fairness in the competition.

‘They commented, “Another professional dancer – when will the BBC realize this?” or “Admire her as a person, but she’s a professional dancer,” or “She’s a dancer in her own right, isn’t she?”, or “Isn’t it an unfair advantage for her to be a dancer?”, or “It’s frustrating when she turns out to be a dancer”, or “Isn’t she, in fact, a professional dancer?”‘

On the other hand, some came to her aid by arguing that she hadn’t been formally trained as a professional ballroom dancer, implying that she didn’t have an unfair edge in the competition.

As a former dance instructor myself, I must say that it’s not uncommon to encounter individuals who have dabbled in various genres of dance but haven’t necessarily specialized in ballroom and Latin styles. For instance, take Layton for example; he may be a professional dancer, but his expertise lies elsewhere. That being said, I can confidently say that she, despite not being a professional ballroom dancer, has the potential to be truly exceptional. Her life experiences have undoubtedly given her an edge when it comes to movement and expression, which is crucial in any dance form. In my years of teaching, I’ve seen numerous individuals in their 20s/30s break into showbiz with little or no formal dance training, so don’t be surprised if she follows a similar path!

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

1. ‘Growing up on Strictly, these individuals deserve to dance in the lineup. Good luck, Tasha! You’re an exceptional contestant! xxxx’;

‘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.

As a fervent admirer, bursting with excitement, I can’t help but share the thrilling news! On Monday, the charismatic heartthrob from JLS, at the ripe age of 37, was officially added to the roster of the BBC dance show! This means he’ll be tapping his toes alongside none other than the hilarious Chris McCauseland. The anticipation is killing me!

Although numerous fans expressed joy about the announcement, others, who are aware of JB’s past as a dancer, have voiced their dissatisfaction instead.

In 2012, the artist had a stint and emerged victorious in the Strictly Come Dancing holiday edition, dancing with professional partner Ola Jordan.

In the year 2017, JB was seen performing on ITV’s Dance Dance Dance together with his dancing partner and wife, Chloe Gill. The duo ended their run in third position.

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

Previously, JB had shared that Chloe assisted him during his preparations for the Strictly Christmas special, noting, “She roots for me and stands by my side wholeheartedly.”

During the Christmas performance, she excelled during rehearsals as she wholeheartedly advocated for me and aided me in finding comfortable solutions to parts that felt unnatural. It’s wonderful to receive such backing.

Discussing with X (formerly known as Twitter), television viewers highlighted JB’s past dance background, often commending him for being a skilled dancer because of his frequent performances with the boy band JLS.

As a long-time fan of Strictly Come Dancing, I have to say that I don’t think it’s fair to invite JB Gill back onto the show again, especially since he won it all the way back in 2012 during the Christmas special. In my opinion, the spirit of the competition is to give a chance to those who haven’t had the opportunity to dance before. With his past victory and extensive dance experience, I believe JB has already had his time to shine on Strictly. It would be more exciting for both the contestants and viewers to see newcomers take to the dance floor and show off their moves!

Didn’t JB Gill and his wife Chloe participate in Dance, Dance, Dance together, didn’t they? They managed to secure the third position. Aren’t Chloe’s skills as a professional dancer well-known?

‘JB been on Xmas #Strictly and #Dancedancedance’. 

It’s highly likely that he has participated in a different dance competition aside from the Strictly Christmas special, and he’s quite skilled at dancing.

In the previous season, it was alleged that Layton Williams, a skilled West End actor with a strong dance background, held an unfair advantage over his competitors, potentially skewing the competition results.

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

As a devoted admirer, I’m proud to share that I was the initial Love Island contestant to grace the screen with a cochlear implant, a remarkable device I received at the tender age of five.

When Tasha was just a year old, her guardians discovered that she was unable to hear. Throughout her childhood, Tasha went through extensive speech therapy sessions to help her communicate effectively.

She considers her disability as a unique strength, promising to serve as an inspiration for the deaf community much like her role model, the former Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis, before joining Love Island.

In June 2022, Tasha shared with TopMob: ‘I adore Strictly Come Dancing, and being a dancer myself, Rose served as an incredibly inspiring role model. The strength and representation she provided for the deaf community left me in awe. It was a powerful, beautiful message that resonated with me.’

As a devoted admirer, I found my significant other, Andrew Le Page, on a popular dating program, and ever since then, we’ve embarked on an exciting journey together. Our latest adventure involves renovating a beautiful house that we purchased in the enchanting island of Guernsey.

Reality star shares that dance has significantly contributed to her hearing experience. She synchronizes her movements with the rhythmic vibrations, similar to Rose, last year’s Glitter Ball champion who is deeply deaf.

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

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash
Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

Rose teamed up with former Strictly dance pro Giovanni Pernice, who had a past relationship with Tasha. This could add to the existing chatter about Rose’s dancing background.

At the Creative Academy in Slough, Tasha completed her training, earning a prestigious First Class Honors degree in Dance Performance upon graduation.

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

Talking about her time at the Folie Douce bar, Tasha expressed how it felt like fulfilling a lifelong wish. She danced atop the mountains, enjoying breathtaking views of the snow-covered peaks under the warm, idyllic sunlight.

At the major European competition known as Move It, she was likewise assigned the starring part as Wonder Woman during the event.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve had the privilege of featuring in numerous music videos, among them is the promotional piece for the collaboration between British artist MNEK and Sleepwalkr titled “More Than Words.” In this extraordinary project, I had the honor to perform side by side with dancers from the deaf community, showcasing their talent and shining a light on the vibrant world of the deaf community.

Through her efforts in promoting visibility for people with disabilities, she was selected to appear in the 2024 series, joining renowned figures such as former footballer Paul Merson, comedian Chris McClausland (who is blind), and television presenter Nick Knowles.

Previously professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, James Jordan, has expressed apprehension regarding the tendency of the program to recruit celebrities who have a dancing background.

In fact, it seems contrary to the spirit of Strictly that beginners in ballroom dancing wouldn’t stand a chance of winning, doesn’t it?

Strictly comes under fire for signing 'another trained dancer' as Tasha Ghouri is announced as part of the line-up after JB Gill backlash

He expressed the opinion that Strictly might be overstepping boundaries by incorporating professionally trained ID dancers, and he agrees with this viewpoint.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d advise anyone considering Strictly Come Dancing to have some background in dance, be it formal training or informal practice. Without prior dance experience, the chances of success might be slim.

Ashley Roberts from the Pussycat Dolls, Kimberley Walsh of Girls Aloud, Maisie Smith from EastEnders, and Fleur East who gained fame on The X Factor have each faced comments about their dancing abilities prior to their performances.

On the other hand, numerous dancers who were trained at stage schools argue that their extensive dance background sometimes works against them when it comes to public voting.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but share my thoughts about Molly Rainford, a brilliant actress and a proud alumna of the Sylvia Young Theatre School. You see, ever since I’ve witnessed her incredible performances, I’ve been captivated by her talent. However, it seems that her background at the stage school might have played a role in a recurring ordeal – finding herself in the dreaded dance-offs time and again.

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

Read More

2024-08-07 13:20

Previous post Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand Free Update Available Now
Next post Queen Charlotte’s India Amarteifio lands lead movie role