Thomas Skinner’s participation in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing was in doubt after the 34-year-old reality star abruptly left a BBC press launch at Elstree Studios, prompting internal discussions about his future on the programme.
People involved in the event described the departure as sudden and disruptive. According to the Daily Mail, Skinner became upset when a journalist began recording an interview on a phone, picked up the device and then left the table, saying "I'm not doing this," before exiting the room. Insiders told the Daily Mail that he took part in only two interviews before departing and that organisers were left "furious".
A BBC spokesman said the corporation was "very clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected will not be tolerated on our programmes." The departure came on the same day BBC Director-General Tim Davie told MPs that, from what he knew, the corporation "wouldn't take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale... But that's not the case here." The spokesman did not comment on whether further action would be taken.
A source quoted by the Daily Mail described the incident as "a disgrace," saying that it is normal for such interviews to be taped and that Skinner had "totally overreacted." Other production insiders said it was unprecedented for a celebrity to walk out of the show's media-launch day and that the timing was unwelcome amid recent controversy surrounding the contestant.
Skinner is among a group of celebrities announced this year to appear on the BBC One series, which also includes former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had been seated next to Skinner at the event, as well as other contestants such as Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and actor Alex Kingston.
On social media earlier in the week, Skinner posted that his first rehearsal with his professional partner had gone well. On Instagram he wrote that he had "honestly enjoyed it so much more than I thought" and described the crew and fellow contestants as "such good people," adding that he was "fully surrendering to Strictly." He has publicly defended his participation in the show as something he is doing for fans and for his family, saying the programme is a favourite of his mother.
Skinner has also faced online criticism for meeting US Senator J.D. Vance during the latter's visit to the UK. He told the Daily Mail last month that characterising him as right-wing was unfair and that he accepted the invitation to meet the US vice-presidential hopeful. "I'm not Right-wing," Skinner said, adding that people had judged him based on a photograph taken at a social event.
His television profile stems from competing on the 2019 series of The Apprentice and a later appearance on Celebrity MasterChef. He has cultivated a public persona built around motivational speaking and the catchphrase "Bosh," and has described himself as a "modern day Del Boy." Media reports have also recalled past legal issues: in 2011 he was charged with handling stolen goods related to a large number of retail items and has acknowledged being arrested on more than one occasion when he was younger.
The BBC and Strictly production teams were reported to have been holding crisis talks to determine whether Skinner would remain in the series. Representatives for the corporation did not elaborate on potential disciplinary measures or any review process, and it was not immediately clear whether the matter would affect his continued participation in the live series.
Strictly Come Dancing remains one of the BBC's flagship entertainment properties, and the launch period typically involves coordinated press activity with contestants and production staff. Walkouts or confrontations at such events are rare and can prompt internal reviews when they occur.
Organisers are expected to decide on any next steps following discussions with production staff and BBC executives. The series is scheduled to air as announced by the network, and the full lineup of celebrities continues to be promoted in advance of the broadcast season.