Love Island has confirmed their first deaf contestant, Tasha Ghouri.
It has been announced that the model and dancer, aged 23, will be on the ITV2 show this summer, alongside a string of other Islanders, who are being revealed throughout the day on what promises to be an exciting upcoming series.
Tasha wears a cochlear implant and is very open about her hearing, revealing that many call her "inspirational" because she likes to talk about her disability and raise awareness of her condition.
She will join already announced Liam Llewellyn, Indiyah Polack, Dami Hope and Paige Thorne on the show.
Asked why she decided on Love Island, and why now, Tasha admits her past dating life has been a "shambles" and she's ready to meet the one and spend her life with them exploring the world.
"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," she said.
Tasha promises she will be "wild" on the show - as she describes herself as a "party animal".
"They would definitely describe me as wild. I can get very wild on a night out, I’m definitely a party animal. I love my prosecco and to have a dance - I’m always on the dance floor," she said when asked how her family and friends would describe her/
"I’m very loyal to my friends and family, I’ll always have their backs. I’m the type of person to put others before me.
"They would definitely say I’m a nap queen - I love napping! I think they’d also say I’m inspirational because of my hearing and my cochlear implant. I inspire quite a lot of people because I’m really open about it."
Tasha has vowed she will do whatever she needs to find the man of her dreams - including "stepping on people's toes".
Asked if she's competitive, she shared: "It’s a tough one because I’m a girls’ girl but it is a dating show and I’m here to find my man. I may have to step on toes but I’ll do it in the nicest way possible."
*Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 6th June on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.
