Cha-cha-ing her way onto the Strictly Come Dancing floor for the second time last weekend, Tasha Ghouri has been winning the hearts of viewers and wowing judges with her bubbly persona and impressive moves with partner Aljaž Škorjanec.
But while the Love Island star, 26, confessed last week that she had always wanted to appear on Strictly and hasn’t stopped smiling during her gruelling routines, insiders tell Closer how Tasha was battling with secret fears ahead of joining the show following her fling with Giovanni Pernice – who is not taking part in the show this year after the BBC investigated claims of ‘bullying’ made against him – back in 2022.
Sources say, ‘He slid into her DMs at the time and she was shocked and flattered. They shared some dates and it was a passionate romance, but it fizzled out as Giovanni was so busy with work.
‘Tasha did really like him and felt like she was falling for him, but it ended a little awkwardly.’
At the time of her signing to the show, Giovanni, 34, was still a professional dancer, and the source says Tasha – who is now loved-up with her series eight boyfriend Andrew Le Page – naturally felt nervous about the idea of spending time with him again.
They say, ‘There was a fear on Tasha’s side about the awkwardness should she be spending time with Giovanni again. She knew that if he was among this year’s professionals then everyone would be watching to see if they rekindled things. The thought of that has made it so difficult for her to move on.
‘Of course she wouldn’t do that to Andrew, but it would have been super-awkward given the fact they used to go out. She’s relieved she doesn’t have to spend time with her ex every week.’
The allegations of bullying against Giovanni – which he strongly denies – came to light over the summer when Giovanni’s former celebrity partner, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, alleged that his behaviour on the show had been ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’.
Amanda, 50, pulled out from the show last October and revealed she had been diagnosed with PTSD as a result.
Meanwhile, Tasha has continued her rise to fame following her stint on Love Island in 2022 and the insider says she was ‘shocked’ by the allegations against Giovanni.
The source says, ‘She’s read about it like everyone else, and she was shocked because he’d only ever been a gentleman with her.’
The model and dancer moved on from Giovanni months later and went on to meet Andrew in the Love Island villa. Despite picking other partners in Casa Amor, the pair have been loved up since, buying their first home together earlier this year and adopting their dog, Luna.
The source adds, ‘Tasha is so happy with Andrew, but having her ex on the show still wouldn’t have been ideal as the celebs and contestants become like family and are always hanging out.
‘Now she can give her all to Strictly without any distraction. She is loving every minute and is growing in confidence every week.’