Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly signed up Giovanni Pernice’s ex Tasha Ghouri for the scandal-plagued show’s new series.
The Love Island star, 25, who found fame on the ITV2 series in 2022, enjoyed a number secret dates with Italian pro, 33, just months before entering the villa.
Tasha is also a trained dancer and disability campaigner after being born deaf and fitted with cochlear implants aged five, with bosses said to believe she’d be a ‘top draw’ for viewers.
The BBC show has been mired in drama since Giovanni was suspended following Amanda Abbington’s accusations of abusive behavior. He denies the claims.
It was followed by Graziano Di Prima’s sacking over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals.
Graziano has apologised for kicking his former partner and added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’
A source told The Sun: ‘Whilst fans who like a journey will be irked she is a professional dancer, others who enjoy watching incredible moments from the off will be more than satisfied’.
‘She’s also become a powerful force for good campaigning and raising awareness for those with disabilities.
Before adding: ‘The Giovanni link is unfortunate to say the least, but above all else Tasha is a gorgeous girl who deserves this amazing opportunity.’
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘The celebrity contestants for the series will be announced in due course’.
MailOnline have also contacted Tasha’s reps for comment.
Tasha previously danced for the likes of pop star MNEK, before finding fame and love in the villa with boyfriend Tom Le Page.
She has since gone on to bag huge modelling contracts with brands ASOS and Ann Summers.
MailOnline revealed Giovanni and Tasha connected via Instagram and messaged privately on the app, which eventually led to the pair meeting in January 2022 – a month after he won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
He wined and dined the stunner but their fling fizzled out due to him being on the Strictly tour.
A source close to Tasha said at the time: ‘Giovanni was persistent when it came to Tasha’.
‘They have a lot in common, both being dancers, and he had just learned a lot about the deaf community performing with Rose on Strictly, who Tasha really admires.
‘Tasha was impressed by how gentlemanly he was, taking her out to top London restaurants and offering to send cars to collect her, but she’s independent and always made her own way to see him.
‘Their romance didn’t progress because Giovanni was travelling a lot with the Strictly tour and Tasha was already involved with someone else.’
MailOnline contacted their representatives for comment at the time.
It comes after the show’s new celeb line up was reportedly been leaked online ahead of the show’s official announcement – however Tasha’s name was noticeably absent.
The celebrity lineup for the 20th anniversary series is due to be released in the next few days.
However, stars have already been reportedly confirmed to be hitting the dancefloor as rehearsals begin.
Earlier this month it was revealed TOWIE star Pete Wicks has signed up, despite the news his close pal Zara McDermott was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima last year.
Meanwhile ex Arsenal player Paul Merson and DIY SOS star Nick Knowles have also reportedly put on their dancing shoes.
And now according to a Reddit post seen by Metro, all 15 stars set to compete have been leaked in an ‘alleged list’.
The post reportedly included a screenshot from an Instagram Story shared to someone’s close friends, suggesting it wasn’t meant for public knowledge.
Famous names on the list included Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati, Loose Women presenter Janet Street-Porter, Blue singer Duncan James and Tracy Beaker Returns star Kia Pegg.
The caption reportedly read: ‘Got this off of a friend, this seems so exciting! Can’t wait for this, especially Hannah Waddingham.
Chris McCausland was also on the list, after the comedian failed to deny the Strictly rumours last month during an interview with Gyles Brandreth, who also made the ‘leaked list’.
Elsewhere Olympic legend Dame Laura Kenny, Outnumbered star Tyger Drew-Honey, Sarah Millican and Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie also appeared on the list.
The final names were reportedly actor Sunil Patel, radio presenter Jordan North, former professional footballer Jermaine Jenas and EastEnders star Shona McGarty.
Meanwhile Death In Paradise actor Ralf Little has also been rumoured to be joining the lineup.
When contacted about the alleged list, Strictly representatives at the BBC told MailOnline that celebrity contestants for this series will be announced in due course.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
