Tasha Ghouri has spoken about how her disability has affected her Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals. The Love Island star, 26, was born deaf and initially fitted for hearing aids before receiving a single cochlear implant just before her fifth birthday. The device assists with Ghouri’s hearing by electrically stimulating her auditory nerve.
Ahead of her first Strictly performance , the reality star discussed her “concentration fatigue” with her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, who suggested they practice with the show’s live band ahead of their first performance of the series. When Skorjanec asked Ghouri if Strictly training had been a struggle at any point, the influencer replied: “I think when you grow up with deafness you learn how to adapt.” She explained: “I can suffer from concentration fatigue from lip reading all day.
There may be times when I have a power nap for ten to 20 minutes just to get myself back and re-energised.” Ghouri admitted: “I would love to take my cochlear implant out to really feel the music. Feel the vibrations.
To feel ‘ok this is how it’s going to feel on Saturday night.’” Skorjanec then suggested he and Ghouri head to the BBC studios where Strictly is filmed ahead of the live show to practice with the live band. After rehearsing in the studio space, Ghouri said the live music really “elevated the sound” and was eager to film the show.
Ghouri and Skorjanec wowed the Strictly judges with their cha cha to Sab.