A deaf Lanarkshire mum has praised Love Island for casting its first hearing-impaired contestant as she reflects on her own love story with her husband, who is also deaf. Cheryl Devine, 34, first locked eyes with her husband, Scott, at a young deaf club over a decade ago.
Romance soon blossomed and in 2011 Scott, 33, got down on one knee before the pair said 'I do' two years later. The lovebirds have two children together, aged eight and five.
Cheryl, from Motherwell, hailed ITV bosses for casting Tasha Ghouri in the 2022 Love Island series which airs on Monday night. Tasha, from Thirsk, Yorkshire, was born deaf and wears a cochlear implant. The model and dancer is the show's first ever deaf contestant.
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The 23-year-old's quest for love made Cheryl, 34, look back on her own love life, having been married to Scott, a delivery driver, for almost a decade.
The deaf awareness expert and podcaster, who was born profoundly deaf, told Glasgow Live: "When I first met Scott I wasn't in the 'deaf world'. I grew up in the 'hearing world' as my family are hearing - it was totally different. I was really shy.
"I went out with someone before Scott, when I was at high school, who was hearing. It was really difficult to be honest, I was young at the time. I was so hard because I was deaf.
"Deaf awareness, at that time, was at level zero but now it has changed massively. "
She added: "With Scott It was 100 per cent love at first sight but we were both in different relationships. After both our relationships didn't work out we started dating and have been together ever since."
Cheryl thinks Love Island's inclusive booking will inspire youngsters like Tasha to 'join shows just like everyone else', give them the 'confidence to talk about being deaf' and 'open up the conversation' around hearing loss to 'break down barriers'.
She said: "I think this is a good thing they have included a deaf person on Love Island because it’s time we are able to join these shows just like everyone else. This will be a great role model for young people and to see how inclusive it is now seeing deaf people on reality shows.
"Hopefully this will also make people more aware and understand how important it is to include deaf or hard of hearing people."
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She added: "It will give deaf viewers confidence as we are now being recognised and included. The more people who learn from these role models, the fewer barriers and struggles we have, especially in relationships, or life in general.
Cheryl does however relate to struggles Tasha may face once in the famous Love Island villa. She hopes ITV chiefs are clued up on how to accommodate someone with a hearing impairment.
She said:"We find it hard to communicate in big groups and follow what’s going on. It will take us a bit longer to understand and to get to know someone and feel comfortable.
"The most important thing deaf people need is the other person to have patience and support. Without this it would be very difficult forming a new relationship."
She added: "I think Love Island bosses should make sure they have been on deaf awareness training as it's important for the contestant to feel included and not left out especially in group conversations and the challenges. I really hope the subtitles are clear and is available for the deaf or hard of hearing community to be able to watch the show just the same as others.
"This, in turn, will help so many young deaf people to be able to talk to their friends about the show and their friends will learn so much about what it’s like for them."
Tasha, who has modelled for fashion giant ASOS, is very open about her hearing impairment. She revealed that many call her 'inspirational' because she likes to talk about her disability and raise awareness of her condition.
Love Island airs tonight (Monday, June 6) at 9pm on ITV2.
