BBC bosses have been left frustrated over Strictly contestant Thomas Skinner’s social media rants, insiders have revealed.
The Apprentice star’s Strictly signing has been marred in controversy since his name was announced.
Earlier this month he stormed out of a press conference whilst his participation has been overshadowed by his relevation that he cheated on wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding.
His political leanings have also sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbeque hosted by US President Donald Trump’s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.
He has drawn strong criticism for X posts saying it is ‘not far-right’ to be ‘flying your flag and loving your country’, and complaining ‘it ain’t safe out there any more’ in London, saying the city is ‘hostile’ and ‘tense’.
And now, insiders have revealed that Strictly bosses have been left in a ‘tricky’ situation regarding his social media posts.
BBC bosses have been left frustrated over Strictly contestant Thomas Skinner’s social media rants, insiders have revealed
The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early thanks in part to his popular pro partner Amy Dowden
‘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,’ the source has explained.
The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early, ‘because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start.’
They added that Strictly’s decision to pair him with one of the show’s favourite pro dancers will be beneficial.
‘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,’ the insider told The Mirror.
After making his Strictly debut on Saturday, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled and claiming his marriage is stronger than ever, after he admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their 2022 wedding.
He shared an impassioned and lengthy message where he claimed he was ‘being attacked’ and was only getting ‘stronger’.
He wrote: ‘Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance…. its gone crazy.
‘Certain people are doing everything they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political.
His political leanings have sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbeque hosted by US President Donald Trump ‘s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event (pictured)
After making his Strictly debut on Saturday, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled
Thomas introduced his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amy to his wife and children on Tuesday as he shared a series of family snaps on Instagram
‘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.’
Thomas, an Essex businessman who found fame after appearing on Lord Sugar’s The Apprentice, added that his strong work ethic meant he was able to ignore the controversy and ‘graft’.
He added: ‘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 standing. 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. [sic]
‘I built what I got from nothing. I Slept on a pull-out bed on the floor for years cus I never had a bedroom. [sic] Weirdos write rubbish on Wikipedia about my upbringing that ain’t true, but they can’t take away what I’ve built with graft & fight. They call me a grifter, but all I do is work. Day in, day out, graft.’
