BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Tasha Ghouri reveals what fans 'always wanted to know' with Aljaz Skorjanec

Tasha Ghouri has revealed something some Strictly Come Dancing fans have 'always wanted to know' about the live show as she revealed her and Aljaz Skorjanec's pre-performance ritual.

The pair are continuing to impress in the BBC One dance contest and were seen making it through to week eight of the 2024 series over the weekend.

During the first-ever Icons Week, in which the remaining couples performed to a song by a legendary singer or band with some even dressing up as the 'icon', Tasha performed a routine from the heart, which earned her an impressive score of 39 our of a possible 40 - the joint highest score of the night.

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Tasha and Aljaz decided to celebrate P!nk by dancing their couple's choice to What About Us. Talking about the importance of her dance and song choice in a VT, Tasha broke down in tears as she made a heartbreaking admission. She said: "This song is about feeling not seen or unheard. I was born completely deaf in both ears, and my parents found out when I was about 12-months-old.

"Being born into a hearing family was definitely difficult, they’re the ones who had to really adapt their lifestyle around me, they started learning sign language which was beautiful", adding that they took her to dance classes from an early age where she was able to "let go" and "just be Tasha".

The Strictly star continued: "Two years ago, I went on a reality TV show, I was the first contestant with a cochlear implant and I really wanted to go on to show that even though I had a disability, I could still find love.

"When I left the show, I remember my dad sat me down and he looked at me, straight, and said Tasha there's a lot of horrific stuff that was written about you, especially on social media. There were videos made about my voice, the way I speak, it became a trend at one point."

Aljaz has now shared a video taken seconds before their near-perfect-scoring performance and a picture of him and his celebrity partner in action on the dance floor taken from the sidelines. Alongside the post on Instagram he wrote: "When dancing with someone feels effortless even the math rules can’t explain it… 1+1=1."

He adeed: "Thank you beautiful people for all the love! So, so so many messages that make me so happy and proud @tashaghouri lets QUICKSTEP." Responding to the post, Tasha wrote in the comments: "this video is so special."

The 26-year-old then shared the post to her own Instagram Story and explained that the video shows her and Aljaz's ritual before going out to perform live to the nation. It shows them appearing to hold hands before Aljaz pulls Tasha in for a hug and as they release they hold hands again to walk out onto the floor.

"Before every dance we do, we step on the floor together! It's become a tradition we do," Tasha shared alongside a face holding back tears emoji. And fans were also gushing over the moment with some loving being able to see what really happens when they're shown the couples' VTs before they peform each week.

@jen_niejones85 said: "Such a great video I've always wanted to know what happens in the studio when the VT is being shown. What an emotional dance." @strictlycantdance commented: "Two wonderfully talented individuals. I have watched your dance a dozen times and I could watch it a million times more. Beautiful!"

@kaylarhannah16 wrote: "I waited so so long to watch you dance contemporary and it was so worth the wait!!!! The only words I can actually find are thank you." @mirjeta19940905 replied "Hope you win so special you’re so professional and good!" @nikki_m27 added: "Your dance on Saturday was amazing! Made me teary, how that never got a 40! Cannot wait to see your quickstep, think it will be spectacular."