Thomas Skinner briefly posted — and then deleted — a message on X about admitting and learning from mistakes as he prepared to take part in Strictly Come Dancing later this month.
In the post, the 34-year-old, who has acknowledged a past "fling" with aesthetician Amy-Lucy O'Rourke, shared a photograph of a chicken and couscous salad he said his wife, Sinéad, had made and wrote that when people make mistakes they should "admit it, learn from it, and definitely don't repeat it." He added that he had spent a full day training for Strictly and was enjoying the diet regimen, before deleting the message minutes later.
The post followed wider remarks Skinner made on social media in recent days in which he described a "moment of madness" that he said nearly "ruined his life." He admitted the fling with Amy-Lucy O'Rourke after the woman told media outlets the relationship lasted around three months, while Skinner has described it as a shorter incident and said he was fortunate his wife forgave him.
Skinner, who rose to prominence on The Apprentice and later built a large social media following, told followers he had told his wife about the episode at the time and that they had since rebuilt their lives. He said the couple, who married in May 2022 and have three children — a son, Henry, aged five, and twin daughters Roma and Darla, aged two — had "built a new home, had two more beautiful children, and moved forward together. We are stronger. Family is everything to me."
He also wrote that parts of his life had been "dragged out" in the wake of the revelations and suggested that people close to him had been offered money to sell stories. Skinner said he had become "a target" and that some coverage and online abuse had misrepresented him, while urging people to leave his wife and children alone. "I did this to them by a silly moment of madness over 3 years ago, no one else," he wrote.
The affair dates cited in media reports place the meeting between Skinner and Amy-Lucy at a clinic appointment on June 12, 2022. Amy-Lucy later told the Daily Mail she believed the relationship lasted around three months; Skinner has described it as a two-week incident in interviews. He has publicly apologised, saying he felt "absolutely terrible" afterwards and that he told his wife straight away.
The controversy has played out in public as Skinner prepares to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, which is scheduled to launch on September 20. The BBC has said Skinner will remain on the show. In separate developments during a recent publicity round he abruptly left a press call after taking a reporter's phone from a table, saying he had seen messages on the device that triggered him. He later apologised for picking up the phone and said the incident was unrelated to Strictly.
Skinner has repeatedly said he hopes to move past the episode and to continue supporting his family. In his longer statement he wrote that he had "made big mistakes" and that owning them and rebuilding were part of his life. He thanked supporters and said he intended to focus on his role on Strictly and on being a better husband and father.
Media coverage of the revelations has included interviews with Amy-Lucy about the relationship and reporting on details that have prompted additional public scrutiny. Skinner has said he expects more details from his past may surface but has argued that many people make mistakes and deserve second chances once they have taken responsibility.
As the Strictly series approaches, the focus on Skinner's participation and the reaction to his comments and conduct is likely to continue. The BBC's decision to keep him in the line-up means he will appear on the show as scheduled, while his social media posts and press interactions remain the subject of public attention.