Featured Image Credit: @tashaghouri/Instagram
Topics: UK News, Love Island
Dominic Smithers
Love Island has been praised for the inclusion of its first ever deaf contestant.
The hit series is set to return to our screens this summer, with a whole host of young singletons looking for 'the one'.
And Natasha Ghouri will reportedly join the group for this year's competition.
An ITV source told The Sun that producers were really excited to have the 23-year-old, who was born deaf and has a cochlear implant, onboard this season.
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They told the publication: "Everyone is very excited. It’s something really positive for youngsters to see.
"Natasha looks amazing in a bikini and has a bubbly personality."
The dancer has previously appeared in an ad campaign for ASOS, in which she shone a light on her disability.
Natasha said: "No matter what disability you’ve got, you can do it."
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Love Island producers have been lauded for Natasha's involvement in the upcoming series.
Annie Harris, at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, said: "We are really pleased that another major TV show is featuring a deaf contestant. Representation matters."
However, despite the reports, a spokesperson for the series would not be moved on this year's cohort.
The show told LADbible: "Rumours around the cast are speculation."
The exciting news comes after ITV dropped the teaser for the new series, which poked fun at the likes of Celebs Go Dating and Ex On The Beach by showing a television with a show titled Naked Celebs Go Dating On A Beach.
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The ad said: "Love Island is the OG of dating shows and after 7 years of matchmaking, marriages and babies, for 8 weeks this summer, we're officially owning love.
"So stand down all you pretenders – Love Is Ours.'
Previously, producers also revealed that they were on the lookout for a new villa.
Kevin Lygo, ITV's managing director of media and entertainment, told PA the team were excited for everyone to see the new gaff.
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Discussing the house, he said: "We didn't own it. We rented it and we are choosing a new house for this summer so that is all secrecy.
"It is going to be marvellous. Yes, it is going to be in Mallorca. It is going to be a great one [series]."