Viewers abused her every week, and she was even accused of manipulating her flawless scores.
However, Tasha Ghouri has stated that if skilled dancers like her were prohibited from competing, Strictly Come Dancing wouldn’t have a “good balance of entertainment.”
The 27-year-old TV personality, who was a finalist for the show’s 2024 season, maintained that it wouldn’t be as fun if only beginners were chosen for the lineup.
Every year, spectators bemoan the unfairness of professional dancers being scored alongside others who have never danced.
After BBC executives loosened their restrictions on reality stars competing, Ms. Ghouri, who rose to popularity on Love Island, was permitted to compete.
She trained in commercial dance at the Creative Academy in Slough after taking ballet classes at an early age, making her a professional dancer.
According to Tasha Ghouri, if skilled dancers like her were prohibited from competing, Strictly Come Dancing wouldn’t have a “good balance of entertainment.”
After Ms. Ghouri received four flawless 10s from the judges, she was accused of “fixing” the show, which led to ongoing criticism of her involvement.
Ms. Ghouri defended the program to the Mail, saying, “I think the problem with Strictly is that you need to have a mix of contestants.” If not, everything will be at the same level.
“You have a good balance of entertainment if you have a mix of people with dance experience and someone who may have never danced before.”
You have some spectacular performers, but you are also witnessing the journeys of others who have never danced. Everyone will find it entertaining if you have that mix.
With her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec, Ms. Ghouri—who was born entirely deaf but currently has a cochlear implant—made it to the show’s finals and placed second behind comic Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell.
She went on, fronting a new commercial for Cabana California Rosé: “I never danced ballroom or Latin before, but 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.”
For me, it was an entirely new experience. However, I didn’t pay attention to that since I thought, “I’m going to have this opportunity once.” I refuse to sit here and hear the bad things. This experience is being carried out by me.
Actor Lewis Cope, who even starred in the cancelled Sky series Got To dancing, and West End actress Amber Davies were criticized last year for their professional dancing backgrounds.
Karen Carney, the former captain of England football, and Carlos Gu won the most recent series last December. But after she lifted the glitterball trophy, it was revealed that she had received street dance instruction between the ages of three and sixteen.
Despite having professional expertise from her stint in the pop group Mis-Teeq, Alesha Dixon, a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, won series five.
Ms. Ghouri, who is in a relationship with BBC host Cam Whitnall, also disclosed that her future on the show is uncertain.
Leading a new campaign for Cabana California Rosé, she appears in a lighthearted, travel-themed advertisement that demonstrates how a single taste may take you to a more sunny place.
Although she hasn’t heard from executives who are changing the format, the Corporation had requested her to return for a regular part on the spin-off It Takes Two.
“I’d love the chance to continue working with Strictly in some way, but I’m not sure what’s happening with It Takes Two this year,” she remarked.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure what’s really going on.”
It is believed that presenters Janette Manrara and Fleur East have left the show.
According to reports, it will make a comeback in September as a “vodcast,” which is the same structure as the companion programs for The Traitors and The Apprentice.
