Thomas Skinner Walks Out of Strictly Press Conference in Dramatic Exit

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Controversial Strictly signing Thomas Skinner dramatically stormed out of the dance competition’s first press event on Tuesday.

Insiders informed the Daily Mail that The Apprentice star, 34, participated in just two interviews before leaving the event held at Elstree Studios, causing organizers to be enraged and prompting BBC executives to engage in crisis discussions about his future on the show.

Thomas was seated next to former Chelsea player and fellow Strictly contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when he announced to the group of journalists: ‘I’m not doing this,’ and abruptly left the event.

He had taken exception to being taped by reporters – which is standard for the event.

A female journalist inquired about his motivation for joining Strictly, and upon realizing she was recording him on her phone, Thomas exclaimed: ‘What’s that?’

He then grabbed the journalist’s phone from the table, leading the woman to demand, ‘What are you doing, can you answer the question, we have only got three minutes. I’m just recording him.’

Controversial Strictly signing Thomas Skinner dramatically stormed out of the dance competition’s first press event on Tuesday (pictured in 2022)

Strictly fans have been inundating the BBC with complaints and have threatened to boycott the show after Thomas met with Donald Trump’s vice-president, JD Vance, and referred to him as a ‘proper gent’.

Following a brief struggle during which the female journalist recovered her phone, Thomas departed – with BBC staff temporarily removing Jimmy from the table while urgently trying to find Thomas’s location.

A source said: ‘This is exactly what Strictly did not need. With all the recent controversy, bosses wanted this series to be smooth sailing but Thomas is already causing havoc.

‘It’s unprecedented for a celebrity to walk out of the show’s media launch day and bosses think it’s really bad form.

‘If this is a sign of things to come, Strictly have a big problem.’

The Daily Mail can reveal bosses are now having crisis meetings about whether father-of-three Thomas should stay on the show.

Strictly fans have been bombarding the Beeb with complaints – and vowed to boycott the show – after Thomas met with Donald Trump’s vice-president and called him a ‘proper gent’.

However, just moments before Thomas’s meltdown, BBC Director-General Tim Davie defended the decision to cast the former Apprentice star, while speaking to MPs from the Culture, Media and Sport committee.

He said: ‘That was not my decision, that was the production team looking for those people… who want to do Strictly, and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.

‘Clearly, we wouldn’t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn’t accept them.

‘But that’s not the case here, from what I know, I’m not an expert on the individual, per se.’

Shortly before he stormed out of the event, Thomas reposted a picture with DJ Mudziviri

Thomas took to Instagram on Monday and told fans he’d had his first day of rehearsals with his professional dance partner and it went swimmingly.

‘I’ve just got back from my first day dancing with my partner. I’m not allowed to say who I’ve been partnered up with yet but I’ve gotta say, I loved it today,’ he said.

‘First day dancing, I wasn’t great at the moves and it was hard to remember them but I didn’t stop laughing. Me and my partner were in hysterics. The crew and the contestants are brilliant, such good people.’

In the caption, he added: ‘Honestly enjoyed it so much more than I thought and me and my partner did not stop laughing all day! It is such a good experience and I’m fully surrendering to Strictly.

‘Also [his son] Henry wanted to show you all his Sea Monkies that are getting nice and big. Hope you had a great start to the week! Bosh.’

Thomas took to Instagram on Monday and told fans he’d had his first day of rehearsals with his professional dance partner and it went swimmingly

‘I’ve just got back from my first day dancing with my partner. I’m not allowed to say who I’ve been partnered up with yet but I’ve gotta say, I loved it today,’ he said (pictured with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink)

‘Me and my partner were in hysterics. The crew and the contestants are brilliant, such good people,’ Thomas added

Meanwhile, Thomas has insisted that the Left-wing flak is unfair.

He told the Daily Mail last month: ‘I’m not Right-wing.

‘People are like sheep and just started saying it because I got invited to go to a BBQ with JD Vance and I posted a picture with him.

‘Who is gonna turn down an opportunity to meet the second most powerful man in the world?’

And in a message for his critics he said: ‘Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you – and that’s okay.

‘I wish them well. We’re all different, and not everyone will see life the same way.

‘If their anger or bitterness has to go somewhere, I’d rather they throw it at me than ruin someone else’s day. I can take it.’

The entrepreneur has spent the past few weeks getting in shape for the BBC One dance series, which he says is his mum’s ‘favourite show’, and insisted he’s doing it for the ‘pint-drinking, kebab-eating dads out there with beer bellies’.

Yet Thomas was a surprise pick for the upcoming series.

The Daily Mail can reveal bosses are now having crisis meetings about whether father-of-three Thomas should stay on the show

Since making his name on the 2019 series of The Apprentice, his only other notable TV appearance was on Celebrity MasterChef the following year.

Known for his ‘Bosh’ catchphrase, Thomas has billed himself as a ‘modern day Del Boy’ and has attracted legions of social media followers courtesy of his early motivational speeches from his favourite cafe.

Before finding fame, Thomas landed himself in trouble with the police in 2011 for handling stolen goods.

He was charged with dishonestly handling 4,992 tubes of Body Shop cleansing gels worth nearly £40,000 and 2,000 diazepam tablets.

In February, he brought up his past misdemeanours after coming under fire from trolls for witnessing a robbery at a Greggs.

He slammed the individuals for stealing while wearing designer clothes – and furiously asked ‘what’s happening’ to the state of the country, before social media users reminded him of his own criminal past and branded him a ‘hypocrite’.

Hitting back on X, he wrote: ‘Still finding it mad that people are actually having a go at me on Twitter because I pointed out that Greggs got robbed whilst I was in there. And then bringing up my past.

‘Yes I did get arrested when I was younger, in fact I get arrested several times. And been charged and paid the price for my convictions. I wrote a book about it.’

Thomas shot to fame in 2019 when he took part in the 15th series of The Apprentice – becoming known for his cheeky chappie attitude and ‘Bosh’ catchphrase

He continued: ‘I never had my own bedroom at one point when I was younger and slept on a pull out bed on the floor.

‘I never had any money or had anything given to me on a plate, yet I turned my life around. I go around schools/colleges/universities telling my story hoping I can inspire others.’

He added: ‘I’m no hero. I’m just a hard worker. I’ve made mistakes, in fact more than most, who hasn’t made one? I now try to spread positivity.

‘I’ve been stabbed when I was younger because of what I got up to and that’s why I try help with my knife crime campaign at my gym.

‘People need to get in the real world and see that there is a problem in this country. And we can fix it if we stick together. Bosh.’

Last month, Thomas moaned about his wealth not being on par with other reality stars he follows on social media in a tweet which was quickly deleted.

He ranted: ‘How do all these celebrities have loads of money? You don’t get bundles of dough for TV or adverts etc (well I don’t)…

‘But I look on Instagram and they’re always in this gaff or posting in a new motor.

‘I finished me Strictly stuff earlier today and I’m now out in my van delivering mattresses. Do I need to be part of a special club now on the tele [sic] that’s gives ya unlimited monies.’

STRICTLY LINEUP 2025

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Age: 36

Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator

Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’

Alex Kingston

Age: 62

Profession: Doctor Who actress

The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’

Balvinder Sopal

Age: 46

Profession: EastEnders actress

Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’

La Voix

Age: 45

Profession: Drag performer

She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’

Thomas Skinner

Age: 34

Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur

He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’

Vicky Pattison

Age: 37

Profession: Reality TV star

She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’

Karen Carney

Age: 38

Profession: Football pundit

She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’

Dani Dyer

Age: 29

Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner

Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Age: 53

Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.

He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’

Ellie Goldstein

Age: 23

Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador

She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.

Chris Robshaw

Age: 39

Profession: Rugby player

He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.