North Yorkshire Strictly star says it's been an 'absolute dream' to inspire others

Tasha Ghouri has said it has been an "absolute dream" to inspire others within the deaf community by performing on Strictly Come Dancing with her bedazzled cochlear implant.

The Love Island star from Thirsk has impressed the judges throughout the dance competition with her technical ability and flair, and she was the first this series to get a score of 10 and a perfect 40.

Ghouri, 26, and her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec will perform three more routines on Saturday in a bid to win the glitterball trophy.

Ahead of the final, she said:

"It's been an absolute dream, especially bedazzling my cochlear implant."

She praised the show's costume team who have been adding diamantes to it each week so her costumes match the implant, which is an electronic device that can help provide a sensation of hearing to those who have severe to profound hearing loss.

"The amount of messages I've got from - especially younger women, younger children, teenagers - who have said 'I felt represented because I've seen you on TV, I started decorating mine as well', and that's the power of representation", she said.

"It's so important to have that, especially with Chris (McCausland) as well. I feel like it's just been such a special year to be part of and representation is so important to have and I feel so passionate about it.

"Honestly, it's been an absolute dream, and I feel so thankful to have the opportunity to be able to do that and to help people find their confidence and to believe in themselves."

Ghouri is the BBC show's second deaf contestant after actress Rose Ayling-Ellis competed in 2021, while comedian McCausland is the first blind celebrity to take part.

Ghouri will compete against McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell; Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and her dance partner Vito Coppola; and JLS star JB Gill and professional dancer Lauren Oakley in grand finale.