Thomas Skinner posted a message on X this week reflecting on "making mistakes" and saying they should be admitted, learned from and not repeated, before deleting the post minutes later as he prepares to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

In the now-removed post, the 34-year-old former Apprentice contestant shared a photo of a meal his wife, Sinéad, had prepared and wrote that he had "had a full day of training at Strictly" and was enjoying the experience despite sore legs. He added: "When you make a mistake no matter how long ago or how big or small. There are only three things you should do about it: admit it, learn from it, and definitely don't repeat it." He concluded by saying he was "watching a Disney film with the kids and looking forward to an early night. Love you all. Bosh."

The post followed a weekend admission in which Skinner described a past "fling" with aesthetician Amy-Lucy O'Rourke as a "moment of madness" that nearly "ruined his life." Skinner has said the episode occurred weeks after he and Sinéad married in May 2022. He has described the encounter as a brief, two-week lapse for which he felt "absolutely terrible," and said he told his wife about it at the time. Amy-Lucy has said the relationship lasted longer.

Skinner and Sinéad have three young children together: a son, Henry, 5, and twin daughters, Roma and Darla, who are two. Skinner has said his wife forgave him after he disclosed the affair and that the family subsequently rebuilt their life, including moving into a new home.

In a longer social-media statement this week, Skinner said he had "made big mistakes, I've let people down, and done things I'll always regret in my past," and singled out the incident with his wife as the worst. He wrote that the revelation was "one stupid moment I'll carry forever" but added that forgiveness from his wife changed his life. He said he and his family had moved forward, that "family is everything to me," and that they were stronger as a result.

Skinner also said he felt targeted in recent days, alleging that parts of his life were being pursued for profit and that people close to him had been approached with offers to sell stories. He wrote that "every part of my life is being dragged out… even my families" and warned people to "please leave my wife and kids alone. I did this to them by a silly moment of madness over 3 years ago, no one else." He added that he expected further revelations about other moments in his life if people kept digging.

The developments follow an incident last week in which Skinner abruptly left a press call and took a reporter's phone. He later apologised and said he had been triggered when he saw messages on the device relating to his past. The BBC has said Skinner will remain on Strictly Come Dancing, which launches its new series on Sept. 20.

Skinner, who first came to public attention on The Apprentice and is known for his social-media catchphrase "Bosh," has been active on social platforms in recent days, defending himself against what he described as online abuse and threats. He said he had been through difficult times and that he shared positivity online because he understood what "rock bottom" felt like. He wrote that most people make mistakes and that people "deserve second chances," and pledged to keep working to be a better man for his family.

Producers for Strictly and the BBC have not announced any change to Skinner's planned participation. In a separate statement about the press-call episode, Skinner apologised to the journalist whose phone he picked up and said he had no intention of implying bad faith; he also reiterated enthusiasm for the show and gratitude for support as he prepared to take to the dancefloor.

Reporting around the incident has included differing accounts of the duration and nature of Skinner's relationship with Amy-Lucy O'Rourke. Skinner has described it as a brief error; O'Rourke has said it lasted several months. Skinner said he revealed the episode to his wife at the time and accepted the consequences he might have faced.

As the scandal unfolds, Skinner has continued to post occasional updates about training and family life, at times sharing moments of domestic routine such as the home-cooked meal he highlighted in his deleted post. He has asked for the focus to be on his work and his family while acknowledging the personal mistakes he says he has made.

The situation remains fluid as Skinner moves closer to his televised debut on the BBC dance programme.