Strictly Come Dancing returned on Saturday night for the semi-finals but Tasha Ghouri found herself in the dance-off for a second week running.

The result shocked many BBC viewers, given the Love Island star and partner Aljaz Skorjanec had been awarded a perfect score of 40 for their jaw-dropping waltz.

Strictly fans failed to back Tasha, but Chris McCausland, JB Gill, and Sarah Hadland all received the votes to make it automatically to Saturday’s finale.

Now, body language expert Judi James has revealed the real reason the former reality star is not connecting with the public, which could impact her chances of lifting the Glitterball Trophy in the show final.

Speaking exclusively to Express Online on behalf of Buzz Bingo, the expert divulged how the couples are feeling, adding Tasha is clearly “crushed”.

Strictly’s Tasha Ghouri looked devastated being in the dance-off (Image: BBC)

“Tasha is clearly a very adept dancer, but fans of the show traditionally prefer to back more relatable, less perfect celebrities who have built their dance skills from scratch,” she explained.

“Tasha’s flaw is not her impeccable dancing, but her use of words on the balcony, which could be causing her some problems in terms of public votes.”

Judi suggested Tasha has addressed her dance routines from a professional perspective, rather than an amateur celebrity being trained by Aljaz.

She continued: “Celebs tend to speak about themselves and their pro dancers using a ‘respect gap’, praising their pro partners for all the tuition and support. It’s the pro’s job to talk about their pride in their celebrity partner, not the other way round.

Body language expert Judi James ‘worked out’ why the Love Island star was in the dance-off (Image: BBC)

BBC viewers bid farewell to Pete Wicks on Sunday’s results show (Image: BBC)

“Tasha, though, spoke about her pro partner in a way that made them sound like equals, which in turn might act like a reminder to the public of her dance skills.”

Judi went on: “This week she made them sound like a professional dance couple, referring to ‘I’m so proud of us’ ‘We worked so hard this week’ and ‘We wanted to come back and fight’ as though Aljaz’s skills and mettle were being tested along with her own, which they weren’t.

“It should be Aljaz saying how hard she worked and how proud he is of her and Tasha saying ‘I’ wanted to come back and fight. Small details matter when it comes to public votes.”

The body language expert noted Tasha’s demeanour when it was announced she would be in the dance-off.

“Tasha is understandably taking being in the dance-offs after such perfect scores hard. When her name was announced this week there was a micro-recoil gesture that suggested utter shock and when she looked up her eyes were filled with tears, suggesting she is now firmly confused and crushed,” Judi added.

Meanwhile, viewers bid farewell to Pete who became the eleventh celebrity to leave the BBC One dance contest during the latest results show on Sunday night (December 8) alongside his professional dance partner Jowita Pryzstal.

The judges unanimously voted to save Tasha who will be in the final on Saturday (December 14).

While Pete took his exit in his stride and conceded his time was up, Tasha was visibly upset as she hugged her dance partner while listening to the judges’ feedback. This was her second stint in the dance-off.