Strictly star Tasha Ghouri's link to former pro Giovanni Pernice
The Love Islander and the dancer were romantically linked a couple of years ago
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tasha Ghouri already has a rumoured link to the BBC show, with stories about her once dating Giovanni Pernice.
The 25-year-old was Love Island’s first ever deaf contestant in 2022 and it has now been confirmed that she has signed up for the new series of the ballroom competition. It comes two years after it was reported that she had stepped out with former Strictly pro Pernice, who has now exited the BBC show amid allegations about his conduct, which he denies.
As Ghouri gears up for a whirl around the dancefloor, we look back at her rumoured relationship with Pernice.
What happened with Tasha Ghouri and Giovanni Pernice?
Ghouri and Pernice were romantically linked in 2022, the same year that Ghouri was on Love Island. The gossip seems to have started after Ghouri outlined her ideal man, telling viewers he was: "Tall, brunette. Bit of a beard. Tattoos."
Plenty of people picked up on the fact that Pernice fit the bill. Then things ramped up when Ghouri shared that she had previously dated a man from Italy, Pernice’s homeland.
The Daily Mail reported at the time that the pair had enjoyed "secret dates" not long after Pernice won the 2021 series of Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
The pair were said to have connected on social media and enjoyed some dates before going their separate ways, reportedly because Pernice was so tied up with the Strictly tour.
However, neither star confirmed the romance, and Ghouri went on to fall for fellow Love Islander Andrew Le Page.
Giovanni Pernice has now exited Strictly
Pernice’s 2023 celeb partner Amanda Abbington has accused him of "bullying" and "militant training", and he has now left Strictly. The dancer has denied all allegations brought against him and has said he looks forward to clearing his name.
The show has been hit with a flood of bad publicity, with it later emerging that pro Graziano Di Prima had kicked his 2023 celebrity partner Zara McDermott. He was subsequently removed from the line-up.
What did Tasha Ghouri say about signing up for BBC show?
It was announced on radio station Kiss's breakfast show that Ghouri had signed up for Strictly this year.
“Pinch me, I can't believe I'm going to be on Strictly Come Dancing!” she exclaimed as the news was revealed. “I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it's a firm Ghouri family favourite - so this is a total dream come true. I know it's going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.”
Pete Wicks, Toyah Willcox, Wynne Evans, Dr Punam Krishan, JB Gill and Chris McCausland are also part of the line-up, with more celebs due to be announced.
Yahoo has contacted representatives for Ghouri and Pernice for comment.
