Trump-supporting Apprentice star Thomas Skinner storms out of Strictly Come Dancing press launch
“This is exactly what Strictly did not need,” one attendee said after Skinner walked out of the event
By Aaron Sugg
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestant Thomas Skinner stormed out of the show’s first press launch on Tuesday (9 September), as BBC bosses question his part in the upcoming season.
Father-of-three Skinner, who found fame on The Apprentice in 2019 and is known for his “bosh” catchphrase, has faced backlash since being announced for the series, largely due to his conservative political views.
The 34-year-old Donald Trump supporter attended the media event at Elstree Studios – but walked out after two interviews.
“Strictly have a big problem” – said one attendee after Thomas Skinner walked out of a press junket
He became agitated when he realised a journalist was recording him on her phone. After an awkward moment with the interviewer, Skinner told press: “I’m not doing this,” before leaving the venue.
One attendee told the Daily Mail: “This is exactly what Strictly did not need. With all the recent controversy, bosses wanted this series to be smooth sailing but Thomas is already causing havoc.
“It’s unprecedented for a celebrity to walk out of the show’s media launch day and bosses think it’s really bad form. If this is a sign of things to come, Strictly have a big problem.”
Chelsea footballer and fellow contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink sat with Skinner at the table, but was left to speak to the press alone after Skinner walked out.
“We wouldn’t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale” – BBC director-general Tim Davie on Strictly Come Dancing casting Skinner
This year’s line-up also features Drag Race UK season 6 star La Voix, ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, and newcomer – actor Lewis Cope.
This comes a day after Skinner completed his first rehearsal with his Strictly professional partner, taking to social media to say he “absolutely loved it”.
The walkout comes amid wider controversy as The Apprentice star met with US Vice President JD Vance earlier this year and called him a “proper gent” in an Instagram post showing the pair together.
BBC director-general Tim Davie defended the decision to include Skinner, telling MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport committee: “That was not my decision, that was the production team looking for those people… who want to do Strictly, and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.
“Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you” – Skinner on the backlash he has received since he was cast
“Clearly, we wouldn’t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn’t accept them. But that’s not the case here, from what I know.”
Skinner previously told the 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.”
He added: “Who is gonna turn down an opportunity to meet the second most powerful man in the world?”
Responding to backlash over his casting, Skinner said: “Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you.”
When is Strictly Come Dancing 2025 coming to the BBC?
Strictly Come Dancing is set for our TV screens 20 September for the series launch show.