Thomas Skinner apologised on social media after grabbing a journalist's phone and storming out of a press interview at the Strictly Come Dancing launch, and he will remain in this year's lineup after BBC executives held talks about his conduct, according to media reports.
The 34‑year‑old former Apprentice contestant posted an Instagram statement saying he had been "caught off guard" when he saw messages on a reporter's screen that triggered memories of "difficult times in his life". He apologised for taking the phone and said he wanted to "step away and gather" himself before returning to focus on the show.
Daily Mail coverage of the press day said the incident occurred during a media session at Elstree Studios on Tuesday, when Skinner conducted two interviews before taking offence at being recorded, reached across the table to pick up a reporter's phone and then left. The Strictly press team were initially unable to locate him during the launch day, the report added.
The Daily Mail and other outlets said BBC producers held crisis talks about the market trader's future on the programme, but concluded he would remain in the competition. A source quoted by the Daily Mail said Skinner was "definitely regretful" about his behaviour and that executives had weighed whether he could "cope with the pressure of the series" before deciding he should stay on.
Skinner's Instagram message, posted on Wednesday, said: "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. 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." He added: "I'm sorry I picked up someone else's phone ... 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. It means the world to me, and I can't wait to give it my all on that dancefloor." The message was reported in full by British tabloids.
Reports said the incident prompted online calls for Skinner to be removed from the show. Some viewers criticised his having earlier publicised a friendship with American politician and vice‑presidential running mate JD Vance, and pointed to his past social media posts in which he expressed support for former US president Donald Trump. Those posts and his political connections were cited by some critics as a reason the BBC should not give him a prime‑time platform.
Skinner has faced scrutiny over his past convictions. He has publicly acknowledged being arrested in his younger years, and has written about turning his life around, speaking in schools and running a gym campaign aimed at knife‑crime prevention. He is married with three children and has said he is appearing on Strictly partly because it was his mother's favourite show.
A friend and media commentator, Adam Brooks, posted on X that he had spoken to Skinner and that the contestant remained on the show. Another outlet, Pundit Arena, reported odds suggesting a substantial chance — described there as an implied 60 per cent probability — that Skinner could still be removed from the lineup, though no broadcaster statement to that effect was published.
Representatives for Skinner and the BBC did not provide immediate comment beyond the reports attributing the decision to keep him to internal discussions. Strictly Come Dancing has repeatedly said it conducts appropriate checks on participants and sought to manage headlines as the latest series approaches live broadcasts.
Skinner has begun rehearsals for the series, and media coverage noted he was photographed appearing subdued the morning after the press‑day incident as he ran errands near Elstree. He has said he wants to focus on the dancing and intends to "give it my all" on the live shows.
The contest's producers have previously moved to limit controversy during the live run of the series; organisers now face renewed attention around contestant selection and press‑day management as the programme prepares for its live launch.