Thomas Skinner says he won't be cancelled as new affair allegations surface ahead of Strictly debut

Thomas Skinner says he won't be cancelled and maintains his marriage is stronger than ever after acknowledging an affair with a single mother before his Strictly Come Dancing debut. The former Apprentice contestant, now paired with Welsh ballroom professional Amy Dowden for the BBC show's latest series, returned to screens as the new run began over the weekend.

Skinner's participation has been overshadowed by headlines after he admitted cheating on his wife, Sinead, with a woman he met in a pub weeks after their wedding. The controversy intensified online after he was photographed at a barbecue hosted by JD Vance, a former Trump ally, an event Skinner called a once in a lifetime moment.

New claims circulated on Sunday that the fling lasted about three months, a detail that conflicts with Skinner’s earlier insistence that it was a one off. Hours after his debut dance with Dowden, he took to X to deny that the rumors would derail him and to say that some people are trying to ruin him.

On X, Skinner said life has not been easy and that he has faced criticism, insisting that the attacks do not break him and can even make him stronger. He spoke about his background, saying he built what he has through graft and that he once slept on a pull-out bed when he had little, adding that official pages misrepresent his upbringing.

He also asserted that he is not aligned with any political party and is focused on ordinary people, the working class, rather than political elites. He said he is for the man or woman on the street who simply wants to do better and that several parties have reached out to him, but he has no interest in joining any.

In a Sun on Sunday interview, Skinner acknowledged a fling with Amy-Lucy O'Rourke, described in the report as a single mother who had given him a cosmetic treatment after they met in a pub. He said his wife forgave him and that, while he understands if she would never speak to him again, she chose to move forward.

Skinner, who raises three children with his wife, has described his Strictly involvement as a chance to reset his career while facing ongoing scrutiny over his private life. He addressed the public on Sunday after his first appearance with Dowden on the dance floor, reiterating his determination to persevere.

The revelations and defenses come as the new season of Strictly Come Dancing unfolds, casting a spotlight on the personal lives of its participants and the broader conversation about accountability in reality television.

Overall, Skinner’s messaging centers on resilience: he plans to press ahead, keep performing, and continue working, insisting he will not be canceled and that his supporters should judge him by the work he does moving forward.