Love Island reportedly casts Natasha Ghouri as first deaf contestant

Dancer Natasha Ghouri will reportedly become the first deaf contestant to appear on Love Island when series eight of the popular dating show starts next month.

According to The Sun, who quote a source working on the ITV2 show, “everyone is very excited” about 23-year-old Natasha entering the villa.

They told the outlet: “It’s something really positive for youngsters to see. Natasha looks amazing in a bikini and has a bubbly personality.”

Tasha previously featured in the music video for the Sleepwalkrs track More Than Words alongside Deaf dancer Chris Fonseca, and received praise last year when she appeared as a model for the fashion brand ASOS.

Natasha, who is a cochlear implant user, said at the time: “It may just be an ear but it means so much more. Like what [RNID] said, representation matters, and I’m bloody proud to represent my community.”

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A post shared by Tasha Amber Ghouri (@tashaghouri)

Commenting on the reports, Annie Harris of the Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) told The Sun: “We are really pleased that another major TV show is featuring a deaf contestant. Representation matters.”

However, the supposed casting was neither confirmed or denied by a Love Island spokesperson, who said rumours around islands “are speculation”.

The Limping Chicken has approached Natasha for comment.

The full line-up for the upcoming series is yet to be announced, with series eight beginning on 6 June.

Photo: Sleepwalkrs/YouTube.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.