Strictly Come Dancing's Tasha Ghouri defended by dad over 'fix' claims as he hits out at fellow stars

Tasha Ghouri's father has fiercely defended his daughter against critics who suggest her dance background should disqualify her from Strictly Come Dancing. Tarek Ghouri responded to a fan of the show, arguing that Tasha's dance experience is not in Latin or ballroom, making these routines as "alien" to her as anyone else.

He also pointed out that other contestants, including Sarah Hadland, JB Gill and Jamie Borthwick, have more dance experience than Tasha - who found fame on Love Island in 2022.

In a passionate statement on social media, he said: "I'm getting a little fed up of hearing this, tbh. Her dance style is NOT Latin or ballroom. The dances are as alien to her as they are to you or I," reports the Mirror.

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As his daughter was born deaf and has worn a cochlear implant since five years old, Tarek continued: "Training is mostly via lip reading and hearing a robotic voice in one of her ears, nothing in the other. Add to that her hearing loss (which itself comes with balance issues due to the sensory hairs in her cochlear being damaged at birth) and I can tell you she has a challenge actually worse than some others in there."

He added: "Who, may I add, are also dance trained - such as Sarah who worked as a pro dancer on cruise ships, JB who was dancing with JLS as a pop group, Jamie who learned to dance at acting school. The person with the biggest challenge is Chris (McCauseland) but Tasha certainly does not have it the easiest."

Tasha, 26, who trained at the Creative Academy in Slough, recently performed the Viennese Waltz to Misty Blue by Dorothy Moore. The reality star, who is paired with Aljaz Skorjanec