The Strictly Come Dancing final has arrived, and among the finalists is 26-year-old Tasha Ghouri—a model, TV personality, charity ambassador, and trailblazer.
Ghouri first rose to prominence as the first deaf contestant on the reality dating show Love Island. Now, she has impressed audiences on the Strictly dancefloor, consistently earning some of the season’s highest scores, including the first perfect 10s.
Paired with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, her performances have drawn praise from the judges, with Anton Du Beke calling them “practically perfect.”
However, her journey has not been without challenges. Despite criticism over her prior dance experience, Ghouri has embraced the show as an opportunity to showcase her vulnerability.
In a heartfelt moment, she broke down in tears as she spoke about the ableist abuse she has faced throughout her career.
Before finding love with fellow Love Island contestant Andrew Le Page, Ghouri went viral for modeling earrings for ASOS while proudly displaying her cochlear implant and hearing aid.
Born in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, she was diagnosed as deaf at birth and initially fitted with hearing aids before receiving a cochlear implant just before her fifth birthday. The device enables her to hear by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve.
Over the years, Ghouri has appeared on popular UK shows such as Countdown, CelebAbility, and The Weakest Link.
She co-authored the novel Hits Different with Lizzie Huxley-Jones, which tells the story of a woman with disabilities pursuing her dream of becoming a dancer while touring with a global superstar. Additionally, she hosts the podcast Superpowers with Tasha, where she explores the strengths that can arise from adversity.
Ghouri’s love for dance began early, training at Creative Academy and competing in major dance events, as well as performing in music videos.
Tasha Ghouri – Strictly Come Dancing (Photo: BBC)
Reflecting on joining Strictly, she shared her excitement: “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 favorite—so this is a total dream come true. I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.”
She credits dancer Rose Ayling-Ellis, Strictly’s first deaf contestant, as a personal inspiration. Ayling-Ellis won the competition in 2019 alongside professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.
Ghouri also went viral earlier this year for a TikTok “Get Ready With Me” video in which she communicated without her cochlear implant. Embracing her “deaf accent,” she has since campaigned for its normalization and greater awareness of deaf issues.
Through collaborations with the Department of Education, 10 Downing Street, and MED-AL, Ghouri continues her advocacy for the deaf community.
On Instagram, she expressed her excitement for the show, writing: “It has been no secret I have craved this challenge for years—I’m still speechless that this is actually happening!”
Her passion for dance stems from her early childhood experiences, as she explained: “I could feel the bass and vibrations through my body by the huge floor-standing speakers in our family home. I’d learn the lyrics to songs by lip reading music videos or using Google to help me.”
Despite her dance training, she admitted that she’s unfamiliar with the styles performed on Strictly: “I’ve never learned or been taught any of the styles on Strictly. So I’m buzzed to push myself past my knowledge and limits.”
While Ghouri calls her deafness a “superpower,” she has also shared the physical toll it takes, including exhaustion and migraines from sensory overload and the effort of lip reading.
Beyond her charitable work, Ghouri is also celebrated for her fashion sense. After leaving the Love Island villa, she became eBay’s first pre-loved brand ambassador and has since worked with major brands such as Ann Summers, L’Oréal, and Lullabellz.
Her influence spans social media, where she boasts over 2.2 million followers, inspiring many with her resilience, advocacy, and undeniable talent.
