Strictly star Tasha Ghouri's link to former pro Giovanni Pernice (original) (raw)

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tasha Ghouri already has a link to the BBC show, with stories emerging about her once dating Giovanni Pernice.

The 25-year-old was Love Island's first ever deaf contestant in 2022 and now 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?

The pair were said to have connected on social media. (BBC)

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. Ghouri went on to fall for fellow Love Islander Andrew Le Page.

Pernice was linked to Ghouri after winning Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis. (BBC)

Later, Ghouri confirmed her connection Pernice during an interview with The Sun, explaining that the pair "met up" a few times but that any relationship they had is now very much "ancient history."

"I've met up with him a few times," Tasha told the paper. "But that was years ago. We are not in touch now, this is like ancient history. I'm so happy with Andrew, and he's my future, so I don't want to talk about the past.

"It's not my place to comment on [the allegations against Giovanni]. I'm here for my own experiences. I'm here just for me.”

Giovanni Pernice has now exited Strictly

Giovanni Pernice has now left the ballroom show. (PA Images/Alamy)

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 Strictly?

Tasha Ghouri said being on Strictly Come Dancing is a 'dream come true'. (BBC)

Speaking ahead of the new series, Ghouri told the BBC: "Taking part in Strictly is something that I've dreamed of ever since I was little as I've always been a massive fan of the show. It's something I've always had in my goals, in my manifestation. To take part is really a dream come true.

"I feel like this year is definitely a big year to be part of it, and it feels like the right time to be part of something so special. It's going to be really magical."

Stars including Pete Wicks, Paul Merson, Nick Knowles, JB Gill and Chris McCausland are also part of the line-up.

Yahoo has contacted representatives for Ghouri and Pernice for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing starts at 7.20pm on Saturday 14 September on BBC One and iPlayer.