Thomas Skinner, a contestant on the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing, reportedly left a press conference prematurely ahead of the show’s premiere later this month.
The former Apprentice participant and social media figure departed the event held at Elstree Studios after engaging with a group of journalists alongside fellow 2025 contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank.
Other journalists present, including representatives from BBC News, were reportedly unable to conduct their scheduled interviews with Skinner.
Skinner has become a figure of debate; his motivational content has garnered him a significant following since his time on The Apprentice, but he has also faced criticism in recent months.
Concerns have been raised regarding Skinner’s social media activity, including a photograph of him meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance this summer and another depicting him wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap.
However, many supporters commend Skinner for his advocacy of “traditional, hard-working, family values,” his patriotism, and his involvement in addressing issues such as knife crime.
Skinner and other Strictly contestants were participating in a series of roundtable interviews, where celebrities engage with groups of journalists for brief Q&A sessions.
The reason for Skinner’s early departure, before completing his scheduled press circuit, remains unclear.
Requests for comment have been submitted to representatives for both Skinner and Strictly Come Dancing.
On Monday, Skinner posted on X, stating he had experienced the “best day” following his first full day of rehearsals.
According to a journalist present, Skinner appeared affable when jokingly responding to a query about whether JD Vance would attend the show, suggesting the Vice President had more pressing matters.
All contestants were interviewed in pairs or trios, with the exception of former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was interviewed solo after Skinner’s departure.
Skinner initially gained prominence on The Apprentice in 2019 and has since appeared on programs such as 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain, Faking It, and Celebrity Masterchef.
He is also recognized for his motivational social media content, his operation of several small businesses (including a gym), and his regular appearances on TalkSport Radio.
Addressing criticism last month, Skinner told the Daily Mail, “I’m not right wing.
“People are like sheep and just started saying it because I got invited to go to 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?”
Earlier on Tuesday, BBC director-general Tim Davie defended the decision to cast Skinner in Strictly, which begins later this month.
Speaking to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport committee, Davie stated, “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.”
Davie added, “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.”
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