Strictly Come Dancing’s Thomas Skinner has sparked a ‘tricky ‘ issue for BBC execs, who have reportedly been left frustrated by the contestant’s recent social media rants
Outspoken Thomas Skinner has sparked ‘major headaches’ at Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports.
BBC executives are reportedly frustrated by Skinner’s Twitter, now X, outbursts, acknowledging they have no control over the contestant’s social media behaviour.
However, industry insiders reckon he won’t be making an early exit from the competition, as viewers typically rally behind controversial characters, plus Amy Dowden’s devoted fanbase will likely throw their weight behind the pair come what may.
One source revealed to the Mirror: “It’s a tricky one, he’s not BBC staff so there is nothing that can be done about his social media posts other than ask his management to have a gentle word, and they might not want to.
“And because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start, the feeling is he’s unlikely to be among the first to go, and could actually stay in for quite a stretch. Amy has a lot of love behind her and that is sure to help him.”
Daily Star has reached out to the BBC for comment.
The dawning realisation that he might remain on the programme for weeks to come emerged after the father-of-three unleashed a lengthy tirade on X following Saturday night’s pre-recorded launch show, reports the Mirror.
Thomas, 35, fumed: “Now I see people are fumin’ that I’m on Strictly…. and the funny thing is that the majority of them got ‘be kind’ wrote in their bios. You couldn’t make it up. Let me tell you this. I won’t be cancelled. I ain’t gonna kill myself like some of you want. I’m still here. I’m still standin.”
He insisted that despite the backlash he was facing on social media, nothing would persuade him to quit the BBC1 programme. “Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think. Every insult, every lie, every attack….it don’t break me, it builds me stronger.”
And the Essex-based pillow entrepreneur, who has confessed to being unfaithful to his wife Sinead with beauty clinic proprietor Amy-Lucy O’Rourke merely two weeks following their nuptials, continued: “This country is built on good people from all walks of life. Not people that gave up! Whatever battle you’re fightin behind closed doors, don’t give up. Keep pushing. If I can keep goin, so can you. We are strong. We are proud. We never give up. Ever.”
Thomas, who rose to prominence on BBC1’s The Apprentice before later featuring on Celebrity MasterChef, maintained that joining Strictly had already turned his existence into a nightmare. “These last few weeks for me and my family have been horrific – but it only makes us stronger.”
Yesterday former Strictly professional Brendan Cole suggested Skinner should disregard those targeting him online and feel grateful that he has been matched with Amy, who has recently overcome breast cancer. Chatting with Sky Vegas, Brendan shared: “Amy’s been made out to be the sweet ‘Strictly princess’ and pairing her with someone as brash and loud as Tom gives you that yin and yang dynamic,” he elaborated.
“Perhaps the thinking was that it might help him stay in a bit longer. Tom wants to be talked about, he wants to be seen, he wants to create that havoc and energy. Viewers are either going to get behind him and say, ‘He’s great, this is brilliant TV,’ or they’ll go, ‘I can’t stand you, get off my screen.'”
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday on BBC One.
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