Was Thomas Skinner’s Strictly exit a conspiracy to save BBC bosses ‘a headache’? Star’s dance partner Amy Dowden complains they missed out on higher-scoring routine as vote-off is branded a ‘sigh of relief’ for execs

Thomas Skinner’s elimination from Strictly Come Dancing has been branded a ‘sigh of relief’ for BBC bosses, after his appearance was embroiled in controversy.

The Apprentice star had already been deemed a controversial signing due to his outspoken Right-wing views, but the storm only grew when he confessed he’d cheated on his wife Sinead just weeks after they tied the knot.

But after Thomas became the first celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s Strictly, questions have arisen over whether this was a push by bosses to rid the show of one of its scandals.

Indeed, Thomas’ professional dance partner Amy Dowden noted that it was a shame that they hadn’t been given the chance to perform a ballroom dance, which would have likely earned him a higher score than his Salsa in his second week.

Fans had also previously claimed that bosses clearly ‘wanted Thomas out first’ after it was revealed he’d be dancing to the Dizzee Rascal track Bonkers.

During the first Results Show, Thomas and Amy went head-to-head against Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova in the show’s first dance off.

When asked by Tess Daly about their time on the show, Thomas Skinner said: ‘I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. 

‘I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ’cause you’re a different class.’ 

Amy added: ‘I’ve got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. He’s looked after me. We’ve laughed so much. 

‘We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything. 

‘I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing. There is a Ballroom boy in there so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the Ballroom, but the last three years as you know have been quite difficult for me.

‘I lost all confidence as a dancer – but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you.’

In stark contrast to Thomas’ two routines, Chris was given the chance to dance a ballroom, performing a Viennese Waltz with Nadiya in week two, and he received two points more than he had for his debut the week before.

Fellow low-scoring star Ross King also delivered a heartwarming tribute to his home nation of Scotland, dancing a Waltz with Jowita Przystal that earned a higher score than his Cha-Cha-Cha in week one. 

Viewers were left reeling on Saturday night after Thomas’s salsa routine went viral for all the wrong reasons.

Within seconds of the performance kicking off, fans flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to blast Thomas’s dance skills, exaggerated facial expressions, and his constant tongue movements. 

In the wake of a string of scandals to hit Thomas since he joined the show, his departure is no doubt welcomed by bosses, who will hope for a smoother run for the rest of the series.

It was previously claimed by insiders that bosses had been left in a ‘tricky’ situation regarding Thomas’ outspoken social media posts. 

Earlier this month Thomas stormed out of a press conference whilst his participation on the BBC’s family-friendly flagship show has been overshadowed by his relevation that he cheated on wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding. 

His political leanings have also sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbeque hosted by US President Donald Trump’s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event. 

Thomas drew strong criticism for X posts saying it is ‘not far-right’ to be ‘flying your flag and loving your country’, and complaining ‘it ain’t safe out there any more’ in London, saying the city is ‘hostile’ and ‘tense’. 

An insider told The Mirror: ‘He’s not BBC staff so there is nothing that can be done about his social media posts other than ask his management to have a gentle word, and they might not want to,’ the source has explained.

The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early, ‘because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start.’

After making his Strictly debut, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled and claiming his marriage is stronger than ever, after he admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their 2022 wedding.

He shared an impassioned and lengthy message where he claimed he was ‘being attacked’ and was only getting ‘stronger’.

He wrote: ‘Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance…. its gone crazy. 

‘Certain people are doing everything they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political.

‘Now I see people are fumin that I’m on Strictly…. and the funny thing is that the majority of them got ‘be kind’ wrote in their bios. You couldn’t make it up.’ 

Thomas, an Essex businessman who found fame after appearing on Lord Sugar’s The Apprentice, added that his strong work ethic meant he was able to ignore the controversy and ‘graft’.

He added: ‘Let me tell you this. I won’t be cancelled. I ain’t gonna kill myself like some of you want. I’m still here. I’m still standing. Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think. Every insult, every lie, every attack….it don’t break me, it builds me stronger. [sic] 

‘I built what I got from nothing. I Slept on a pull-out bed on the floor for years cus I never had a bedroom. [sic] Weirdos write rubbish on Wikipedia about my upbringing that ain’t true, but they can’t take away what I’ve built with graft & fight. They call me a grifter, but all I do is work. Day in, day out, graft.’

Despite the scandals surrounding him, it had been reported that Strictly’s stars were supporting Thomas behind the scenes.

Thomas confessed to Daily Mail’s Katie Hind that the cheating scandal has been ‘awful for my poor wife to read it all’ as he came clean on the affair.

However, he put on a brave face as he made his dance floor debut with Amy Dowden last Saturday. 

The Sun previously reported that Strictly fans are convinced bosses ‘want him out first’, in turn forcing the other stars to rally around him, after it had been announced his second dance would be a Latin one.

An insider told the publication: ‘Tom is just your average person who’s been flung into a frenzy of hate ever since signing up to Strictly.

‘He’s rising above it all, but of course, it would get anyone down. 

‘That’s why the support from his Strictly co-stars has meant so much to him.

The source added that Thomas has turned out to be one of the most popular members of the cast and that they are all ‘very protective of him’.

Many fans were quick to share the same sentiment writing on X: ‘The song for Skinner… Oh, they want him out bad;

‘Oh Thomas is being set up for a fall;

‘Two Latin dances back to back and Bonkers for a Salsa is a horrible song choice.’

Thomas’ dance partner Amy previousl shared a message urging her followers to ‘be kind’ following reports he’s being protected by Tom Holland’s ex-bodyguard after receiving death threats.

Taking to her Instagram Amy shared clips from her BBC documentary on her cancer battle, which also saw her deal with negative comments, alongside a lengthy caption. 

She wrote: ‘As we step into a new week, let’s choose to be kind, always. I was raised to treat others the way I’d want to be treated, and to never judge a book by its cover. 

‘We never really know what someone else is going through. But what I do know is how upsetting it can be to be on the receiving end of negative comments’.

She continued: ‘I’m using my platform to hopefully help spread the right messages. Words matter! Online and offline. A cruel comment might take seconds to type, but its impact can last much longer’. 

‘I remember a coach once telling me, it’s like a nail hammered into wood, even if you remove it, the mark will always be there. There are so many young people online today please be the kind of role models they need’. 

Before adding: ‘Let’s be the reason someone smiles, not struggles. Also I can’t believe it’s two years exact today I was sat in the hospital bed showing these messages to my lovely nurse. Welsh love alway’.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday with Movie Week at 6:05pm on BBC One and iPlayer.