A former Love Island contestant from North Yorkshire has been named one of the favourites to take home the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball this year.

Tasha Ghouri, who was born deaf and has a cochlear implant, first hit people's screens in the 2022 series of Love Island where she finished joint-fourth.

This year, she has odds of 9/2 to win the Glitterball trophy, with an 18.2 per cent probability of being crowned the winner.

Speaking ahead of the series, the Thirsk-born reality star said former contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis had congratulated her on joining the 2024 line-up.

Former EastEnders actress Ayling-Ellis was the first deaf contestant to ever take part in the show and she went on to win the competition.

Tasha added: “I feel proud to be representing the deaf community as well.

“We both have such different experiences being deaf growing up, so it’s nice that I can bring something different to the table in terms of the cochlear implant and my journey.

“I’ve definitely got big footsteps to follow but she’s been amazing.”

The BBC show is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary as it returns to the TV on Saturday.

Jake Ashton, entertainment betting expert at OLBG, said: "With Strictly Come Dancing returning to UK TV screens this weekend, fans are anticipating the quality of each celebrity’s moves.

(Image: Ray Burmiston)

"Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward has been named the favourite to win this year’s contest, pushing former favourites Tasha Ghouri and James Borthwick into joint second place.

"It will be interesting to see how these odds change following the first set of performances on Saturday."

Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward is the current favourite to win Strictly this year ahead of the launch show where viewers will see who he is partnered with.

Mr Ward was previously third favourite to win but has moved up in the rankings, leapfrogging Ms Ghouri who has training in ballet.

DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles is at the head of the betting market for who will be eliminated from the contest first.

Johannes Radebe is the favourite to be the winning professional this year with odds of 6/1, in what would be his first Strictly victory.