There's nothing they can do: Strictly's most controversial contestant Thomas Skinner tests show bosses

BBC bosses have been left frustrated over Strictly contestant Thomas Skinner's social media rants, insiders say. The Apprentice star's signing has been marred since its announcement. Earlier this month he stormed out of a press conference, and his revelation that he cheated on his wife weeks after their wedding has shadowed his appearance. His political leanings have sparked backlash after he was pictured at a barbecue hosted by JD Vance, a close ally of Donald Trump, which he later called a once-in-a-lifetime event.

He has drawn strong criticism for posts saying it is not far-right to fly a flag and love your country, and complaining that London is unsafe, hostile and tense. Insiders say the controversy has created a tricky situation for show bosses as they weigh how to respond while Skinner remains a public favorite on social media.

An insider told The Mirror that because Skinner is not BBC staff, there is little official recourse beyond asking his management to have a quiet word, and they might resist. The same source cautioned that it is unlikely Skinner will be voted out early, because audiences tend to warm to controversial figures at the start of a season, and his pairing with one of the show's most beloved pros, Amy Dowden, could help him stay in longer.

After making his Strictly debut on Saturday, Skinner posted another message on X saying he would not be cancelled and that his marriage remains strong, following his admission to cheating on his wife just weeks after their 2022 wedding. He wrote that life is not easy, that he has been attacked, and that he is growing stronger despite the attacks. He described himself as a self-made Essex businessman who has faced critics and online attacks, insisting that his graft will outlast the controversy.

On Tuesday he introduced his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amy to his wife and children in a series of family snaps posted to Instagram, highlighting a personal side that has been cited as a factor in his early staying power.

Skinner, an Essex businessman who rose to prominence on The Apprentice, has been at the center of a public-relations storm since his signing was announced. The BBC has not indicated any formal sanction in response to the social media posts, but internal discussions have intensified as producers monitor the controversy and its impact on the show’s image. The Mirror cited insiders who say the show’s choice to pair him with a favored pro dancer is likely to give him cover in the early weeks, though questions about accountability may become more pressing if the posts continue to draw wide backlash.