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Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has nearly broken down in tears when receiving a sweet message from her parents.
The former Love Island star, 26, is competing on this season of the BBC dancing series where she’s been paired with Aljaž Škorjanec.
On the most recent episode, which was an Icons Week special, they performed a couple’s choice dance to What About Us by Pink.
Before taking to the dancefloor, Tasha was in tears speaking about the trolling she’s experienced online due to her disability.
Tasha, who was born deaf and uses a cochlear implant, became visibly emotional as explained how people mocked the way she spoke and how she hit ‘rock bottom’ after appearing on Love Island and discovering ‘horrific things’ were being written about her.
However, her dance performance was praised, with the pair picking up a near-perfect score of 39.
Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri held back tears during an appearance on The One Show (Picture: BBC/ The One Show)
Speaking on The One Show on Tuesday night, Tasha spoke about receiving the positive feedback from the panel ‘meant the absolute world’.
‘For us it was telling a story and dancing with our hearts,’ she said.
‘It was a chance to tell a powerful and raw story and to hear those comments from the judges meant the world and it connected.’
Although Tasha said she was ‘nervous to show a vulnerable part of myself’ she was thrilled at the positive reaction, which she called ‘incredible’.
She was then surprised when video messages from her parents were played, leaving her on the verge of tears.
It came after her most recent performance with Aljaz Skorjanec picked up a score of 39 (Picture: Guy Levy/ BBC/ PA Wire)
‘The dance on Saturday was just absolutely amazing,’ her mum Nicky said.
‘I’m kind of lost for words. It was moving. It was powerful and it was so meaningful, and it meant so much to you and so much to us and I’m probably going to start crying again. Well done, we love you so much,’ she added.
Meanwhile Tasha’s dad Tarek also shared a sweet message to his daughter.
‘I was already full of pride the second you were born, and you keep piling it on. The overflow is now tears. With or without disabilities people can often feel in a dark place and your performance resonated with so many people for different reasons.
‘Your passion for helping others is admirable and you have a very, very special heart. Never change darling. We all love you princess. And Aljaz thank you for everything.’
Tasha has been supported by her family throughout the competition (Picture: Tasha Ghouri/ Instagram)
With the camera then cutting back to Tasha, she admitted: ‘They always make me cry, every single time. I see my parents and get emotional.’
After the most recent episode, Tasha shared a lengthy statement on social media, in which she thanked the show, her dance partner, the choreographer and her parents, who she called her ‘super heroes’.
She also wrote: ‘To anyone suffering with ableism please speak to your close ones around you. Ableism is something that happens to many many people which is often overlooked, to be able to share my story to hopefully spread the message that we always need to lead with love and kindness.’
Tasha’s appearance on Strictly comes three years after Rose Ayling-Ellis became the show’s first deaf contestant, going on to win the 2021 season.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One. The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One.
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