Tasha Ghouri Breaks Down Recounting 'Hardest Year' Battling Ableist Trolls
Strictly Come Dancing and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has broken down in tears while opening up about what she describes as the hardest year of her life, detailing her painful battle with ableist online trolls that nearly drove her to quit the public eye entirely.
Emotional Radio Interview Reveals Depth of Struggle
During an International Women's Day special on Hits Radio with host Fleur East, Ghouri became visibly emotional when asked about coping with public scrutiny. "It's tough. Last year was actually the hardest year for that," she confessed before breaking down. "I don't want to get emotional...sorry. It still gets to me."
The 26-year-old reality star and dancer revealed she completely lost herself amid relentless trolling throughout 2025. "I've been three years in the industry and it still gets to me. I see comments of ableism to this day - I still get that," she explained. "Last year was the hardest, I lost myself completely. I was in the depths and it got to the point where I stopped loving what I was doing."
Public Breakup Added to Emotional Turmoil
Ghouri's struggles were compounded by her highly publicized breakup with Love Island co-star Andrew Le Page shortly after her 2024 Strictly Come Dancing stint. "Then to go through such hardship, going through a public break up - it was tough," she continued.
The model, who was born deaf and uses a cochlear implant, described having to rebuild her happiness from the ground up. "I had to really try and find my happiness again - which I have now - I've got an amazing partner, Cam and I truly feel like I'm radiating from inside because I had to go through that battle with trolls online," she shared. "Kindness is free and I think people forget that."
Strictly Come Dancing Experience and Ableist Backlash
Ghouri competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, partnered with professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, where she was one of the highest-scoring celebrities on the series. During her time on the show, she courageously opened up about the ableism she faced after first gaining fame on Love Island in 2022.
She revealed receiving cruel comments that made her feel she had let down the entire deaf community. As Love Island's first deaf contestant, Ghouri had hoped to provide meaningful representation. "I wanted to go on for representation and I feel like I failed, not just myself but, the whole deaf community," she confessed during her Strictly appearance.
Ghouri recalled her father sitting her down after Love Island to discuss the "horrific stuff" written about her online. "There are videos made about my voice and the way I speak, it became a trend at one point," she revealed.
Family Support and Ongoing Battle Against Trolls
Even during Icons Week on Strictly, Ghouri's father Tarek had to publicly address continued trolling on social media platforms. In an emotional post beneath a photo with his daughter, he wrote: "Even last night, despite Tasha's heartfelt video sharing with the nation how mentally damaging social media comments can be, some chose to still abuse her (and many other contestants, Pros and judges!) on Facebook and X with horrid unnecessary hurtful comments."
He explained that while Ghouri avoids most social media platforms due to the abuse, friends and family still see the hurtful comments. "When I read them I think it says more about the person typing it than it does about Tasha," he wrote. "What was motivating last night was how many people 'got the message' and bit back at the trolls. This is what gives Tasha the energy and commitment to speak out for anyone suffering."
Tarek concluded with a powerful message: "In a way you give her fuel, but you damage the engine. Be kind. Be respectful. It's not difficult to be nice and if you feel like being otherwise you don't have to take to the keyboard."
Recovery and Moving Forward
Despite the emotional toll, Ghouri expressed gratitude for those who have supported her journey. "Lastly a MASSIVE THANK YOU to anyone that has complimented her for being brave or who enjoyed her dance or who perhaps felt a little stronger after hearing how you can overcome," her father added in his social media post.
Ghouri's emotional revelation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public figures with disabilities and the profound impact online abuse can have on mental health. Her story serves as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of social media trolling and an inspiring account of resilience and recovery.
