Strictly's Tasha Ghouri earned an impressive 30 points for her Cha Cha routine(Image: BBC)

Strictly's Tasha Ghouri defended by pal after dance experience and link to pros revealed

EXCLUSIVE: A friend of Strictly Come Dancing's Tasha Ghouri says the contestant is more at a disadvantage than an advantage, due to her cochlear implant and fear of performing with live music

by · The Mirror

Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has been defended by her Love Island co-star Chloe Burrows, following backlash about her dance experience.

Last week, the 26-year-old scored an impressive 30 points after performing the Cha Cha to Sabrina Carpenter's Expresso, alongside dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

While many viewers praised her jaw-dropping efforts on the platform X, others have claimed that she is at an advantage due to her previous dance experience.

Tasha, who was born deaf and wears a cochlear implant, specialises in commercial dancing after training at the Creative Academy.

She has performed in many competitions and has also appeared in a music video, but hasn't had experience in Ballroom and Latin dancing.

Defending her right to be on the dance floor, Chloe, 29, said: "Tasha is going to do absolutely amazing! She will put her heart and soul into this, I want her to win.

Chloe Burrows believes Tasha Ghouri has got what it takes to win Strictly Come Dancing( Image: BBC)

"Obviously she's got a bit of a dancing background, well, not a bit, she's a talented dancer, she's got rhythm.

"I know she said she hasn't danced in front of live music before, so she's a bit worried about that.

"But, I think she's going to absolutely smash it. I actually think she might win, like genuinely, I think she's got it in the bag."

Hitting back at claims that her friend is at an advantage, Chloe expressed her hopes at the audience getting behind her and voting.

"Tasha has got a dancing past, but she's also got a cochlear implant, which means she might be at a disadvantage to those who have danced in front of live music before.

"She's absolutely smashing it and also, that was her choice to have a dancing background, so rightly so, Strictly is the b****y show for her, why not?

"I don't think she deserves any backlash, it's completely fair and I know she's going to smash it."

Tasha herself as stressed how commercial dancing couldn't be any different to the styles she's learning on Strictly.

Strictly's Tasha Ghouri wears a cochlear implant, which helps provide a sense of sound( Image: PA)

While learning the Cha Cha, she said just learning how to walk in performance and letting Aljaz lead the way was difficult to adjust to.

"I’ve gotta block out that noise and luckily I’ve been in this industry for two years and I’ve grown so much stronger after Love Island – there was so much negativity,” she said.

“[Strictly] is my dream. It’s something I’ve dreamt of for so long. So I’m doing this for me and my family and my partner.”

Ahead of her Strictly stint, the ex Love Island star previously worked with the show's pro Johannes Radebe presenting a dance workshop for Queen Camilla.

She was also once romantically link to axed pro Giovanni Pernice, who is currently at the centre of an ongoing internal probe following misconduct claims, which he strongly denies.

Addressing her past with Giovanni, she told The Sun: "I've met up with him a few times. But that was years ago. We are not in touch now, this is like ancient history."

Chloe has become the face of Deliveroo's ultimate Fresher’s Week grub - The Boost Burger - which helps fuel students through their first week of university.

Visit deliveroostudents.co.uk to unlock access to Deliveroo Plus across the uni year.

Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight at 6:15pm on BBC One.