Tasha Ghouri shared a heartwarming video to her Instagram on Sunday as she surprised her old primary school teacher.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 26, posted a black and white clip of her stood outside her former teacher's home with a large bouquet of flowers before knocking on the door.
The pair were then reunited and Tasha was visibly emotional at the meeting and shared a hug before going inside.
And the former Love Island star explained that the gesture was so important to her because Mary-Anne Aitken had helped her though her early education and taught her British Sign language after she had been fitted with a cochlear implant at the age of five.
Tasha added that she wouldn't be where she is today without her and added that she had 'left a huge footprint on my heart'.
In the caption to the adorable video she wrote: ' I have to say the biggest thank you to @maryanne.aitken.9 when I was young back in primary school she was my carer at school and home, she became a family friend.
'Taught british sign language to me, my family and friends. She was by my side the whole time.
'She even reminded me today I used to give up my play time in primary school to work on my BSL and speech, that I worked twice as harder to get to where I am now, but she was a huge part of my life that got me to where I am today & I can’t thank her enough.
Tasha Ghouri, 26, shared a heartwarming video to her Instagram on Sunday as she surprised her old primary school teacher Mary-Anne Aitken
The former Love Island star explained that the gesture was so important to her because Mary-Anne had taught her British Sign language after she had been fitted with a cochlear implant at the age of five
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 26, posted a black and white clip of her stood outside her former teacher's home with a large bouquet of flowers before knocking on the door
'i surprised her today after not seeing her since I left primary school which is 15 years. We laughed, smiled, ate some cheesecake..
'she is the best baker & missed your cakes!! You left a huge footprint on my heart & I will always love you!'.
Tasha's emotional gesture comes after it was revealed she has inspired a new dating show.
Earlier this month it was announced that following the success of shows like Love Island and My Mum, Your Dad, a brand new exciting dating series is in the works.
The new show is set to focus on individuals who use sign language, taking inspiration from deaf celebrities who have used their platforms to raise awareness such as former EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
The star made history as the first deaf participant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, eventually winning the competition.
And model Tasha made it through to the final on Sunday December 8.
TV bosses are reportedly on the hunt for single individuals who are deaf, use British Sign Language, or are CODAs (children of deaf adults), aged between 25-35, for the upcoming series.
Tasha added that she wouldn't be where she is today without her and added that she had 'left a huge footprint on my heart'
In her Instagram caption Tasha explained that she would be forever grateful to her teacher for teaching her sign language
An insider told The Sun: 'The creators have just put out a casting call for people in their twenties and thirties, who might like to take part.
'Though it's not clear which channel it will air on, ITV and Channel 4 are the most likely recipients because they like to explore new territory with their shows.
'As for the dating show genre, producers are always looking for new ways to look at what attracts people to one another.'
Although it is not publicly known which channel will air the show, ITV and Channel 4 are thought to be likely contenders due to their eagerness to explore novel concepts, reports The Mirror.
As for the dating show genre, producers are constantly looking for new innovative perspectives on what draws people together romantically.
Tasha's emotional gesture comes after it was revealed she has inspired a new dating show that will focus on individuals who use sign language
Producers have been impressed by Tasha using her appearance on shows such as Love Island and strictly Come Dancing to raise awareness of disabilities
It comes not long after Production company Gold Wala released an advert that reads: 'Casting is now live for a super-exciting, brand new British Sign Language dating show for a major new channel.
'We are looking for all deaf, BSL users and CODAs who are aged 25 to 35 years old, are single and up for taking part in what will be an incredibly fun, exciting opportunity.'
Tasha, who was born deaf and received her cochlear implant when she was five years old, made history as the first-ever deaf contestant on Love Island.
But Tasha admitted she 'felt like she let down the whole deaf community' as she received hundreds of cruel comments about the way she speaks following her stint on the show.
