The revered UK show 'Strictly Come Dancing' continues to make waves as its contestants navigate personal and professional highs and lows. Recent revelations about Tasha Ghouri suggest the infamous 'Strictly Curse' may have played a detrimental role in her romance with Love Island star Andrew Le Page.
The young dancer, now 26, hinted at her heartbreak during interviews, particularly reflecting on her time on 'Strictly'. She stated, "I can't even put it in words how incredible the experience was. Like, honestly, every day, I've been on YouTube watching all the dances we did. Andrew's getting sick of it" (reported by the Mirror). This commentary resurfaced following the couple's split announced earlier in January, just weeks after Ghouri's spectacular performance in the live final of the competition.
Insiders have asserted the toll competitive dancing takes on relationships, with sources explaining: "Tasha was madly in love with Andrew but the cracks started to show when she appeared on 'Strictly'". The reality star's focus on dance, particularly with partner Aljaz Skorjanec, allegedly contributed to the deterioration of her bond with Le Page, 29. The commitment to her training reportedly alienated the couple as Tasha went on tour following her 'Strictly' success.
Meanwhile, there's happiness brewing in the form of Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, who captured audiences not just with their dynamic performances but also with their continued friendship post-show. The duo, who triumphed to win the Glitterball Trophy after impressing judges and fans alike, celebrated their first anniversary since winning the show. The duo made a promise during the competition: to get matching tattoos if they reached the final, and they've kept their word. Leach shared on Instagram, "One whole year with our gorgeous baby bees" along with snapshots of their quirky bee-tattoo designs, embodying their playful inside joke.
Unfortunately, injuries are also part of the Strictly experience, as Vito announced he would miss the remainder of the live tour due to setbacks following his initial injury. Despite this, he remained supportive, saying goodbye to his current partner Sarah Hadland on social media, assuring her of his unwavering support and commitment to her success.
On another front, Anton Du Beke's startling performance on 'Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?' last weekend left viewers spellbound when faced with unexpected questions related to dance—something he’s very familiar with. Unfortunately for Anton, this round took him by surprise, leading him to make choices driven by instinct rather than certainty. His experience is being touted as one of the most extraordinary on the show. Jeremy Clarkson, the show's host, remarked after the fact, "When this question cropped up, I thought well ‘this was tailor-made for you’ and then it wasn’t".
Adding to the excitement powered by 'Strictly', the 'Strictly Come Dancing Live!' tour is underway. This year’s show, featuring notable celebrities from the recent series alongside professional dancers, has already wowed audiences. The premiere event was held at First Direct Arena, Leeds, with Janette Manrara leading the proceedings and presenters prepped to deliver vibrant performances featuring ex-contestants highlighting their most memorable dances.
Reflecting on the riveting showcase, the judges offered high praise. Motsi Mabuse described one performance as "perfection and you could hear a pin drop" when watching Tasha and Aljaz’s waltz.
Across the board, Leicester’s own winner proudly grinned, recounting how far she came to win the competition: "Yorkshire is my home". Craig Revel Horwood encapsulated the night best, saying, "Tonight was super special. Thank you, Leeds, everyone is a winner"—a nod to the camaraderie cultivated by the show.
With emotions running high from heartbreak to joy to unexpected surprises, 'Strictly Come Dancing' continues to prove it's not just about dancing but forming bonds and creating memories. The show remains monumental for the contestants, shaping their lives well beyond the ballroom and keeping the public entranced week after week.