Tasha Ghouri nearly quit TV show in bullying row that prompted nearly 2000 Ofcom complaints
Tasha Ghouri found fame on Love Island in 2022 and has gone on to carve out an impressive career in showbiz, with the model now competing on the latest series of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. The 26 year old came in second place on Love Island alongside boyfriend Andrew Le Page, and the couple's romance is still going strong over two years later.
Despite finding love, Tasha, who is deaf and uses a cochlear implant, had a difficult time on the ITV2 dating show, especially after other contestants were accused of bullying her. She has previously opened up about the tough parts of her Love Island experience, especially after a game of Snog, Marry Pie ended in thousands of Ofcom complaints being lodged due to other contestants' treatment of Tasha.
Three of the boys pied Tasha during the game and made harsh remarks about her, prompting many TV viewers to complain to Ofcom. Tasha has admitted that the incident made her and boyfriend Andrew contemplate quitting the ITV show at the time.
"I was standing there thinking: ‘Keep your head held high and don’t show a reaction'. There’s a clip and you can still see it in my face. It was a lot. I felt backed into a corner. It’s such an intense environment and hard to escape. You’re stuck in there together. I was ready to walk out," Tasha previously told The Sun.
Over 1,500 viewers complained to Ofcom following the challenge. The boys int he villa, notably Luca Bish and Dami Hope, later apologised to Tasha for the way they acted towards her. Recalling the tough time, Tasha explained how she told producers she'd "had enough" and Andrew said he would happily leave with her. However, the boys soon said sorry.
"Then all of a sudden the boys apologised. It was a bittersweet moment. I’m a very forgiving person. I didn’t want to live the rest of the weeks in a negative way. I forgive, but I don’t forget," she added.
Tasha and Andrew's relationship has only gone from strength to strength since exiting the villa, despite their co-stars having doubts about the authenticity of their romance on the show. The couple have bought their first home and moved in together, and Andrew has proven he's Tasha's biggest supporter during her current stint on Strictly Come Dancing. He can regularly be found sitting in the audience cheering Tasha and her dance parter Aljaž Škorjanec on, even sporting a t-shirt with his girlfriend's face on during one live show.
