After 12 sparkly weeks, BBC’s 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing will come to an end this Saturday in a epic final battle for the coveted glitterball trophy.
And one of the finalists is North Yorkshire’s Tasha Ghouri!
The Love Island star and TV personality is from Thirsk. Tasha has impressed the judges throughout the dance competition with her technical ability and flair – and was the first this series to get a score of 10 and a perfect 40.
The final of Strictly Come Dancing will air live on Saturday 14 December at 6pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Tasha, 26, and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec will perform three more routines on Saturday in a bid to win the glitterball trophy.
The pair have chosen to reprise their American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi as their favourite dance – which secured the first score of 40 of the series.
Their dance chosen by the judges is their couple’s choice to What About Us by P!nk, and the couple will perform their show dance to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman.
Tasha was born deaf and wears a cochlear implant, and made history in 2022 as Love Island‘s first deaf contestant.
Ahead of the final, she said: “It’s been an absolute dream, especially bedazzling my cochlear implant.”
“The amount of messages I’ve got from – especially younger women, younger children, teenagers – who have said ‘I felt represented because I’ve seen you on TV, I started decorating mine as well’, and that’s the power of representation”, she said.
“It’s so important to have that, especially with Chris (McCausland) as well. I feel like it’s just been such a special year to be part of and representation is so important to have and I feel so passionate about it.”
Tasha is Strictly’s second deaf contestant after actress Rose Ayling-Ellis competed and won in 2021, while comedian Chris McCausland is the first blind celebrity to take part.
She praised the Strictly team and her dance partner for their support, adding: “I can’t even put into words how amazing it’s been.
“Honestly, it’s been an absolute dream, and I feel so thankful to have the opportunity to be able to do that and to help people find their confidence and to believe in themselves.”
Tasha will compete against McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell; Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and her dance partner Vito Coppola; and JLS star JB Gill and professional dancer Lauren Oakley in the grand final.