Strictly's Tasha Ghouri 'defended' by BBC viewers after perfect score row

Tasha Ghouri has been defended by legions of Strictly Come Dancing fans, after some critics hit out at her getting the first 40 of the new series on Saturday night.

As soon as it was revealed that ex Love Island finalist had signed up for the BBC show, it was quickly reported that the social media star has worked as a professional dancer, as her background in the industry was revealed. Despite a few eyebrows being raised over Tasha's training, she went into Strictly as one of the big favourites to win and has stayed in the top three of the betting ever since, although some distance behind clear frontrunner Chris McCausland.

Tasha and pro partner Aljaz Škorjanec were the highest overall scorers of this year prior to Saturday night's Strictly and, after Tess Daly introduced their performance, by mentioning the fact they were 'desperate' to get a 40, that's exactly what happened, with all four judges blown away by the couple's American Smooth to Lewis Capaldi hit Someone You Loved. Even Craig Revel-Horwood, a week after landing in hot water for not giving Sarah Hadland a 10. was swayed to dust off his 10 paddle, as Aljaz was moved to tears by getting the score.

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Their top marks saw Tasha and Aljaz soar straight to the top of the Strictly leaderboard, although they ended up sharing the summit with JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, after they beat them in the Sambathon. And, as credits rolled Tasha fans were quick to jump to her defence on X, as some hit out at her getting 40, given her past as a working dancer.

Taking on her critics, one posted: "Tasha is UNBELIEVABLE!! Wow!! Deserved 40!! It's such a shame that she hasn't got a hope in hell of winning. Like Layton last year, she should win but she won't because of her previous experience. It's so annoying how the public hold that against certain people." Also backing Tasha, a second reacted: "That was a deserved 40 from Tasha though. Well done, beautiful lady and Aliaz!"

Among the many other posts i support of Tasha was one that read: "I’m absolutely sobbing at tasha getting a 40, she’s such a lovely and inspiring woman!! she deserves so much love and her partnership with aljaz is so special"