Thomas Skinner has complained that he doesn’t get paid as much as other celebrities for TV appearances and adverts.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, rose to fame on The Apprentice and is taking to the dance floor later this year.
But in a now-deleted tweet seen by The Sun, Thomas queried how other celebrities have ‘loads of money’ while he still has to deliver mattresses in his van after Strictly rehearsals.
Taking to the social media platform X, Thomas wrote: ‘How do all these celebrities have loads of money? You don’t get bundles of dough for TV or adverts etc (well I don’t)….
‘But I look on Instagram and they’re always in this gaff or posting in a new motor. I finished me Strictly stuff earlier today and I’m now out in me van delivering mattresses.
‘Do I need to be part of a special club now on the tele that’s gives ya unlimited monies.’
Thomas Skinner has complained that he doesn’t get paid as much as other celebrities for TV appearances and adverts as he still has to deliver mattresses in his van after Strictly rehearsals
Taking to the social media platform X, Thomas wrote: ‘How do all these celebrities have loads of money? You don’t get bundles of dough for TV or adverts etc (well I don’t)’
He has always traded on his working class roots, whether it be his love of fry-ups at his favourite café or his famous ‘Bosh’ catchphrase.
But the Daily Mail recently reported that the ex-Apprentice star’s upbringing was far from poverty-stricken as he grew up in a house worth more than £2.5million and went to an exclusive private school.
Thomas referred to his father in his autobiography as being ‘a livewire and a geezer’ and a ‘ducker and a grafter like me’.
But rather than struggling to make ends meet, his father Lee – who his son nicknames ‘The Governor’ – was a mega rich marketing boss and businessman who was once able to have a garage of Lamborghinis before being made bankrupt over his role in a suspected investment fraud which cost investors £3.6million.
His book, called Graft, How to Smash Life, which was published in 2023, glossed over large parts of his childhood, describing how he and his parents initially lived in a modest terraced townhouse home in Romford, Essex.
But while detailing how his mother worked hard to earn a living, the book failed to mention that he and his family lived from 2002 until 2014 in a much bigger detached house with a large driveway and leafy front garden in Gidea Park, Romford.
The imposing property where Thomas grew up last sold for £2.5million in 2017 and is now used for people living in supported accommodation.
Thomas’s Strictly casting has caused controversy, with fans upset at his decision to meet for a photo with Vice President JD Vance.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, rose to fame on The Apprentice and is taking to the dance floor later this year
But in a now-deleted tweet, Thomas queried how other celebrities have ‘loads of money’ while he still has to deliver mattresses in his van after Strictly rehearsals
But Thomas hit back, saying he was defiant and ‘excited’ and said the flak was unfair.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘I’m not right wing. People are like sheep and just started saying it because I got invited to go to bbq with JD Vance and I posted a picture with him.
‘Who is gonna turn down an opportunity to meet the 2nd most powerful man in the world?’, he added.
And in a message for his critics he said: ‘Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you — and that’s okay. I wish them well. We’re all different, and not everyone will see life the same way. If their anger or bitterness has to go somewhere, I’d rather they throw it at me than ruin someone else’s day. I can take it’.
Earlier this month, Thomas popped up in the Cotswolds after JD Vance invited him to a barbecue and today he was revealed as Strictly’s tenth celebrity contestant.
Under the BBC’s tweet announcing his participation, there were a number of angry responses.
They wrote: ‘Absolutely awful booking. His views don’t align with what strictly should be about. Shame on you BBC,’;
‘Is he a celebrity? Thought he was just a hateful grifter?’; ‘I was already thinking of passing on watching this year as the line up is rubbish, but this seals it. Definitely not watching.’
Thomas’s Strictly casting has caused controversy, with fans upset at this decision to meet for a photo with Vice President JD Vance
But Thomas dismissed the critics and said he can’t wait to get started.
‘Life’s too short to scream and shout at each other. Let’s talk, listen, and try to understand. The world doesn’t need more noise, it needs more conversation’, he said.
Thomas bizarrely got his invitation to enjoy ‘a barbecue and beers’ with JD Vance at his Cotswolds holiday retreat after the politician became a fan of his often motivational and feelgood posts on social media.
On being a part of Strictly, Thomas said in a statement: ‘I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing.
‘I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping on to the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!
‘I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and, most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Earlier in the day, Thomas has hinted at his new gig as he shared a snap of his breakfast from Dino’s Cafe, which he visits at around 5.30am each day.
