Tasha Ghouri’s dad forced to miss BBC Strictly finale in huge blow to star as he shares real reason for absence
WATCH HERE: Tasha Ghouri & Aljaz perform an American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi
BBC
Tasha Ghouri's dad Tarek has revealed he'll be absent from the Strictly Come Dancing audience this week as his daughter gears up for the show's grand finale.
A regular feature throughout the series, Ghouri's dad has often featured in this year's edition of the BBC dance competition, regularly applauding and shedding a tear from the wings.
On Saturday, Ghouri will take on fellow Strictly stars JB Gill, Sarah Hadland, and Chris McCausland in her quest to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
However, her journey to the final has been far from plain sailing after the reality TV star had to overcome two dance-offs to get there - most recently seeing off Pete Wicks in the semis.
Soon after, Ghouri took to Instagram to express her delight at making it to the final while paying tribute to Wicks for his friendship over the past few weeks.
And it was on the same platform that her father announced the sad news he wouldn't be able to attend the finale to cheer her on from the crowd in what's bound to be a major blow to the Love Island star.
BBC Strictly: Tasha and Aljaz received a standing ovation during the semi-final for their Waltz
BBC
Instead, Ghouri's dad will have to show his support from the other side of the world as he shared a snap from inside a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge.
The image was of a QR code that encouraged visitors to "scan for champagne", something Ghouri's dad was more than happy to oblige with as he detailed in the accompanying caption.
"Were Scanning like an Aldi checkout," he quipped with a laughing emoji before turning his attention to the more sombre news.
He explained: "Sadly we can’t be at SCD final as we’re heading on a Caribbean cruise booked before we knew," followed by a crying emoji.
Still keen to show his support, Ghouri's father continued: "BUT we will be watching and cheering and praying for @tashaghouri to slam it."
Before long, Ghouri's dad was inundated with well wishes as several of his followers urged him to enjoy his winter break in the sun.
Just days earlier, he'd shown his pride for his daughter in a separate post dedicated to Ghouri after she made it to the final.
"What a roller coaster but here we are . . @tashaghouri made the final!" he penned. "Pride is not a big enough word to describe the feeling I hold deep inside about this achievement of her life long ambition. @aljazskorjanec once again my friend THANK YOU for helping get her there." (sic)
While Ghouri's father has been a vocal cheerleader from the sidelines throughout her time on this year's Strictly, it hasn't come without its controversy.
A few weeks into the series, Ghouri came under fire as some fans referenced her previous dance training when she was younger.
Her dad took to social media to launch a passionate defence of his daughter by highlighting the experience fellow cast members like Gill and Hadland possessed before the series.
However, Strictly fans criticised Ghouri's dad for the move, claiming he was "throwing others under the bus" with his defence of his daughter.
Ghouri, who's landed in the past two dance-offs, will be hoping to pull off a miraculous turn in fortunes on Saturday night when she faces McCausland, Gill and Hadland in the ballroom.
Sadly for the 26-year-old, however, her chances of lifting the Glitterball are incredibly slim with bookmakers all but guaranteeing a McCausland and Dianne Buswell victory on Saturday evening.
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Kayley Cornelius, spokesperson for Betfred, said to GB News about the Strictly final market: "The Glitterball trophy feels within reach for comedian Chris McCausland.
"With odds of 1/20 to win this weekend, he stands as the bookmakers' strongest favourite in the competition’s history, boasting a massive 95 percent chance of victory. Yet, while Chris’s win seems almost certain, the battle for second place is far less clear.
"Former JLS star JB Gill has staged a remarkable comeback. Once tipped for elimination last week, he’s now expected to take the runner-up spot, surging ahead in the betting markets at 1/16.
"This shift spells trouble for Sarah Hadland, who had held onto second place but has now tumbled to odds of 25/1. Even so, she’s still projected to secure a place in the Top Three.
"For Tasha Ghouri, it’s been a significant setback. Previously the favourite to win, her chances of even finishing in the Top Three now look slim, with her odds drifting to 33/1."
Fans will have to tune in to Saturday's finale at the earlier time of 6pm to see how the finalists fare on the dance floor.
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