Thomas Skinner is edging ever close to the Strictly Come Dancing crown – just days after his dramatic storm out of its press launch.
The former Apprentice star, 34, left journalists shocked on Tuesday when he abruptly left a press call after snatching a reporter’s phone.
Addressing the scandal himself, Thomas took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a statement in which he apologised to the journalist and admitted he was working to ‘move past difficult moments in his past’.
Daily Mail also revealed how the BBC was standing by Thomas and he would remain on the show, which launches on September 20.
Now, following the controversy, Skinner’s outright odds to win this year’s series have now cut from 18/1 into 16/1, according to bookmaker William Hill.
Meanwhile, his odds to be first eliminated from the series have drifted from 8/1 to 9/1.
Thomas Skinner is edging ever close to the Strictly Come Dancing crown – just days after his dramatic storm out of its press launch
The former Apprentice star, 34, appeared to brush off the drama after leaving journalists shocked on Tuesday when he abruptly left a press call after snatching a reporter’s phone
Lewis Cope remains the outright leader at 11/4, with Dani Dyer (7/2) and Ellie Goldstein (5/1) making up the top three.
In a statement on his storm out, Thomas told his followers: ‘To set the record straight off the back of yesterday, during one of the interviews, a journalist placed their phone on the table to record the conversation.
‘I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages – not about Strictly, but about a personal story from my past.’
Revealing he felt triggered by the tales of his past, Thomas continued: ‘I’ve been through some difficult times in my life, which I’ve worked hard to move on from.
‘In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard. I felt it was best to step away and gather myself.’
Thomas continued: ‘This had nothing to do with the interviews or Strictly itself.
‘I’m sorry I picked up someone else’s phone and I don’t even know if the journalist realised their messages were visible, and I don’t want to suggest any bad intentions on their part.
‘What I do want to say is how excited I am to be part of Strictly this year. I’m so grateful for all the love, kindness and support I’ve been shown so far.
Thomas took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a statement in which he apologised to the journalist and admitted he was working to ‘move past difficult moments in his past’
Following the controversy, Skinner’s outright odds to win this year’s series have now cut from 18/1 into 16/1, according to bookmaker William Hill
‘It means the world to me, and I can’t wait to give it my all on that dancefloor. Bosh.’
Insiders told the Daily Mail how BBC chiefs, who are desperately trying to avoid controversy amid the recent scandals, demanded a full explanation surrounding his walk-out.
The Strictly press team were unable to locate him at Elstree Studios, where the press launch took place.
A source close to Thomas said: ‘He is definitely regretful over the way he behaved on Tuesday.
‘Thomas may have done other big shows on TV before, but he still feels new to this and especially the environment of a press day, where multiple journalists are asking questions.
‘While he has done Celebrity MasterChef and The Apprentice in the past, those shows are prerecorded and he wouldn’t have faced the same scrutiny he is with Strictly, he definitely felt out of his depth.
Insiders told the Daily Mail how BBC chiefs, who are desperately trying to avoid controversy amid the recent scandals, demanded a full explanation surrounding his walk-out
Thomas pictured with his wife and mother of his three children Sinéad Chambers
‘He had been enjoying the Strictly dance rehearsal before the press day began and now, he hopes to focus on the dancing alone and can’t wait for the first live show.’
In a bid to put the incident behind him, the dad-of-three posted a cheesy snap of him in the makeup chair at Elstree Studios on Thursday.
However, the entrepreneur failed to flash a smile and appeared downcast in pap pics from near the show’s studios just hours before.
Thomas, who was casually clad in a polo shirt and shorts, kept his head down as he nipped into the shops to buy a bottle of water.
He appeared to be feeling the strain as he grimaced while making his way back to the studio, where he was due to pre-record the Strictly launch show.
