Love Island's Tasha 'secretly dated' Strictly's Giovanni Pernice

Just months before she entered the villa

Author: Alex RossPublished 8th Jun 2022
Last updated 10th Jun 2022

If like us you've been watching the brand new series of Love Island, you'll be aware the show's first ever deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri confessed she'd previously dated an Italian, after turning down the charm of late comer Davide Sanclimenti.

And although she's now seemingly trying to find love in the villa, it's emerged the 23-year-old from Thirsk has a famous ex-boyfriend!

According to reports by the Daily Mail, Tasha enjoyed a number of secret dates with Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice earlier this year, following his victory in the 2021 series with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis.

A source close to Tasha told the publication: "Giovanni was persistent when it came to Tasha.

"They have a lot in common, both being dancers, and he had just learned a lot about the deaf community performing with Rose on Strictly, who Tasha really admires.

"Tasha was impressed by how gentlemanly he was, taking her out to top London restaurants and offering to send cars to collect her, but she's independent and always made her own way to see him.

"Their romance didn't progress because Giovanni was travelling a lot with the Strictly tour and Tasha was already involved with someone else."

Check out the Love Island 2022 cast below:

Paige Thorne

Age: 24
From: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Instagram: paigethornex

Dami Hope

Age: 26
From: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Instagram: damihope

Indiyah Polack

Age: 23
From: London
Occupation: Hotel Waitress
Instagram: 1ndiyah

Liam Llewellyn

Age: 22
From: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student (Strength and Conditioning)
Instagram: liamllew_

Tasha Ghouri

Age: 23
From: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and Dancer
Instagram: tashaghouri

Davide Sanclimenti

Age: 27
From: Rome, Italy (Lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business Manager
Instagram: davidesancli

Gemma Owen

Age: 19
From: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Instagram: gemowendressage_ and gemowen_1

Ikenna Ekwonna

Age: 23
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Instagram: ikenna._

Andrew Le Page

Age: 27
From: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Instagram: andrewlepage

Amber Beckford

Age: 24
From: London
Occupation: Nanny
Instagram: amberbeckford

Luca Bish

Age: 23
From: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Instagram: lucabish

Afia Tonkmor

Age: 25
From: London
Occupation: Lounge Host at a Private Members Club
Instagram: afiatonkmor

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

Age: 27
From: Essex
Occupation: Actress
Instagram: ekinsuofficial

Jacques O’Neill

Age: 23
From: Cumbria
Occupation: Professional Rugby League Player
Instagram: jacques9oneill_

Jay Younger

Age: 28
From: Edinburgh
Occupation: Investment Analyst
Instagram: jayyounger_

Remi Lambert

Age: 22
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
Instagram: remilambo

Danica Taylor

Age: 21
From: Leicester
Occupation: Dancer
Instagram: _danicataylor

Antigoni Buxton

Age: 26
From: Cyprus/London
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Instagram: antigoni

Charlie Radnedge

Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Real Estate Development
Instagram: charlieradnedge

Jazmine Nichol

Age: 21
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Nightclub Manager
Instagram: jazminejaynenichol

Chyna Mills

Age: 23
From: Leeds
Occupation: Youth Support Worker
Instagram: chymills_

Summer Botwe

Age: 23
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Events Decor Business Co-owner
Instagram: summerbotwe

Coco Lodge

Age: 27
From: Surrey
Occupation: Graphic designer/ring girl/shot girl
Instagram: coco_lodge

Cheyanne Kerr

Age: 23
From: Barnsley
Occupation: Cabin Crew
Instagram: cheyannekerr_

Mollie Salmon

Age: 23
From: Southampton
Occupation: Make-up artist
Instagram: mollie_salmon

Josh Samuel Le Grove

Age: 22
From: Essex
Occupation: Model
Instagram: josh_legrove

Samuel Agbiji

Age: 22
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
Instagram: samuelagbiji

Billy Brown

Age: 23
From: Surrey
Occupation: Roofing Company Director
Instagram: billybrown11

Jack Keating

Age: 23
From: Dublin
Occupation: Social Media Marketing
Instagram: jackkeating11

George Tasker

Age: 23
From: Cotswolds
Occupation: Labourer
Instagram: georgetasker__

Deji Adeniyi

Age: 25
From: Bedford
Occupation: Accounts Manager
Instagram: deji.adeniyi

Adam Collard

Age: 26
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Personal Trainer/Former Islander
Instagram: adamcollard

Lacey Edwards

Age: 25
From: Swindon
Occupation: Professional Dancer
Instagram: layedwards

Jamie Allen

Age: 27
From: Preston
Occupation: Professional Footballer
Instagram: jamie_allen12

Nathalia Campos

Age: 23
From: Brazil
Occupation: Operations Manager/Content Creator
Instagram: nathaliaxcampos

Reece Ford

Age: 23
From: Coventry
Occupation: Model
Instagram: _reeceford

Speaking about the reason she joined the 2022 series, Tasha told bosses: "My dating life has been a shambles. This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time. I’m definitely ready for a relationship.

"I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone, go on holidays and travel with them."

Meanwhile, having dated the likes of Ashley Roberts, Jess Wright and Georgia May Foote in the past, Giovanni's last public relationship was with Love Island 2019 star Maura Higgins.

Despite things seemingly going well for the pair in 2021, Giovanni addressed the split in October, revealing their was 'no wrong-doing' by either party.

He said at the time: 'Hey guys, I hope everyone had a great Monday.

'Going into another wonderful training week – thank you so much for your amazing messages & your support this weekend. I get to live my dream every single day because of you – so thank you. Thank you, Thank you.

'I wanted to say a couple of things...

'Firstly, great relationships with great people can come to a natural end. This has been the case for me recently. There was absolutely no wrong-doing & this should be the end of any speculation.

'Whilst I respect & understand interest in my personal life, wouldn't it be fantastic to instead use this space to raise awareness of subjects & issues which need the attention.'

Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2.

Now read:

Michael Owen breaks silence on daughter Gemma's Love Island appearance

How to follow the Love Island 2022 cast on Instagram

Everything you need to know about Love Island 2022

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