Tasha Ghouri has defended the participation of trained dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, arguing that the show would lack a 'good balance of entertainment' without them. The 27-year-old TV star, who reached the final of the 2024 series, faced weekly abuse from viewers and accusations that her perfect scores were fixed.
Background and Criticism
Every year, viewers complain that it is unfair for contestants with professional dance experience to compete alongside novices. Ms Ghouri, who rose to fame on Love Island, was allowed to compete after BBC bosses relaxed rules on reality stars appearing. She is a trained dancer, having taken ballet lessons at a young age and later studying commercial dance at the Creative Academy in Slough.
During her time on the show, Ms Ghouri faced continued criticism, including claims of a 'fix' when she received four perfect 10s from the judges.
Defending the Show
Speaking to the Mail, Ms Ghouri said: 'I think the thing is with Strictly, you need to have a mix of contestants. Otherwise, it's all going to be the same level. If you have that mix of people who have had dance experience, and someone who has never danced before, then you've got that good balance of entertainment.'
She added: 'So you've got good showstoppers standouts, but then you're seeing the journey of people that have never danced. You want to have that mix, which makes it entertaining for everybody.'
Personal Experience
Ms Ghouri, who was born completely deaf but now uses a cochlear implant, finished in second place in the finale with professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec, behind comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell. She acknowledged the backlash was expected but focused on the opportunity.
'I knew the backlash was going to happen when I did the show, of course I am going to get backlash off this whole dance experience, but I never danced ballroom or Latin before. It was a whole new experience for me. But I didn't focus on that, because I was like, I'm going to have this opportunity once. I'm not going to sit here and listen to the negatives. I'm the one that's doing this experience,' she said.
Previous Controversies
Ms Ghouri is not the first contestant to face scrutiny over dance experience. Last year, West End star Amber Davies and actor Lewis Cope faced criticism, with Cope having appeared on the axed Sky series Got To Dance. Former England football captain Karen Carney won the most recent series last December, but it was later claimed she had previous street dancing training from ages three to 16. Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon also won series five despite her professional experience in pop group Mis-Teeq.
Future on Strictly
Ms Ghouri, who is dating BBC presenter Cam Whitnall, revealed her future on the programme is uncertain. She had been asked back for a regular role on spin-off It Takes Two, but has not heard from bosses who are overhauling the format. 'I'm not sure what's happening with It Takes Two this year, but I'd love the opportunity to keep working with Strictly somehow,' she said. 'But yeah, I'm not sure what's actually happening.'
Presenters Fleur East and Janette Manrara are understood to have departed the programme. It has been reported that the show will return in September as a 'vodcast', similar to the format used for The Traitors and The Apprentice companion shows.
