The glittering finale of Strictly Come Dancing has faded, but for Thomas Skinner, the aftermath feels far from celebratory. A day after the show concluded, Skinner released a statement revealing a deep regret: he wishes he’d never signed up for the competition. The admission comes amidst a swirling controversy surrounding the voting process and a wave of intensely personal scrutiny.
Skinner’s initial claim – that he received information suggesting his vote count was higher than anticipated – sparked a firestorm. The BBC swiftly responded, asserting the vote is “independently overseen and verified” with “complete accuracy” each week, and challenged Skinner to provide the referenced email, a request that remains unanswered. The situation has clearly taken a toll.
In a now-deleted social media post, Skinner braced himself for the inevitable backlash. He anticipated accusations of dishonesty, attempts to “cancel” him, and claims of receiving no votes at all. But, he declared, he’d reached a point of indifference, knowing his own truth and the details of the conversations he’d had. His primary concern now lies with protecting his family from the fallout.
The reality TV personality acknowledged his own past mistakes, openly admitting he’s “not perfect.” He confessed to a prior infidelity, a revelation that made headlines when he publicly admitted to a fling shortly after marrying Sinéad Chambers in 2022. They share a son and twin daughters, and Skinner is determined to shield them from the current storm.
Despite the turmoil, Skinner found a single bright spot in the experience: a genuine friendship with his professional partner, Amy Dowden. Beyond that connection, he lamented the “huge amount of negative attention” the show has brought, admitting it has affected him deeply. He emphasized he harbors no ill will towards the BBC, acknowledging their role in launching his career on The Apprentice years ago.
Looking ahead, Skinner intends to return to work, focusing on his family and his wife. He expressed frustration at the intensity of the attacks he’s faced this year, deeming it “not right.” He seeks to move forward, prioritizing his personal life and leaving the controversy behind.
The BBC, when pressed for further comment, reiterated its original statements regarding the integrity of the voting process, a position echoed by the independent auditors, PromoVeritas, who confirmed all votes are validated and no issues have been identified.
Skinner’s journey on Strictly was fraught with challenges from the start. His past endorsements of controversial political figures drew criticism, and an incident where he grabbed a reporter’s phone and stormed out of an interview further fueled the negative attention. His performances on the dance floor, scoring low marks in both weeks, ultimately led to his elimination.
