Strictly Come Dancing star describes unique 'struggle' on BBC show

Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tasha Ghouri has opened up on one major challenge she faced while on the BBC ballroom show, alongside her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec. After finding fame on ITV's Love Island, she competed on Strictly in 2024 and finished as a runner up.

The 26-year-old dancer and model was born deaf and received a cochlear implant at the age of five. Explaining how that impacted her time on Strictly, she exclusively told Express.co.uk: "I think the biggest challenge was when my implant fell out during the Argentine Tango. Because of all the dramatic and quick headturns in the dance, it just flew out. I couldn't hear anything, the music just stopped for me, so I put all my trust into Aljaz to get us through the rest of the dance. Even though I briefly panicked when it fell out, I knew I had to carry on and that I'd get through it. And that's a lesson I have learned, you can overcome any challenge thrown at you."

However, not letting the incident impact her, she added: "I would love for everyone who feels different to embrace their own uniqueness and celebrate it. My deafness is my superpower, but it took me a long time to realise that it is special.

"I now find beauty and calm in the silence when I get to take my implant out at night. There are so many of us that feel different, but that is our quirk - it's not a weakness, it's actually the opposite."

Tasha recently made a surprise appearance at A Disney Wish UK - a magical experience created by The Walt Disney Company UK and Make-A-Wish UK for children living with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.

While there, the reality TV star met Tiwalade Edun, an eight-year-old girl from London living with sickle cell disease. During their time together, Tasha joined them for Belle's story time and delved deeper into the magical tale of Beauty and the Beast.

Tasha said: "I feel so honoured to have been part of A Disney Wish UK. For so many of these seriously ill children that Make-A-Wish support this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience-and it's incredible to see the joy and magic it brings them.

"Everyone has their own journey, and all the little things we often take for granted simply aren't a reality for some families, so creating moments like this really matters. Watching families make memories they'll cherish forever, surrounded by their favourite Disney characters and stories, has been amazing."