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Thomas Skinner Departs Strictly Come Dancing Amid Divisive Two-Week Run By BBC News Correspondent Businessman and reality television personality Thomas Skinner has become the first contestant to be eliminated from the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, following a challenging two-week stint marked by low scores and intense public scrutiny. The former Apprentice candidate and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, were voted out unanimously by the judges on Sunday night after facing former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova in the series’ first dance-off. Skinner’s departure concludes a short but highly publicised run on the flagship BBC programme, during which his participation generated significant debate both online and across UK media. The elimination followed Saturday’s live show where Skinner and Dowden performed a Salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s 'Bonkers'. The routine, which relied heavily on lifts and energetic staging, garnered a score of 13 points, placing the couple near the bottom of the leaderboard for the second week running. This score, combined with the previous week’s 12 points for his Paso Doble, proved insufficient when factored against the public vote. During the dance-off, the four judges—Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Shirley Ballas—each chose to save Robshaw, citing the rugby player’s superior technique and execution. Revel Horwood was particularly direct in his critique of Skinner’s performance on Saturday, observing that the salsa "looked like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling; it was all just powerlifts. " He concluded that the routine "lacked any real hip rotation or fluidity," despite conceding the contestant "had the strength of an ox. " Upon hearing the results, Mr Skinner expressed his thanks to his partner, acknowledging the effort she had made during their limited time on the show.
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"I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing," he said. "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. " Ms Dowden, who returned to the series this year after a period of recovering from breast cancer, delivered an emotional response, crediting Skinner with restoring her confidence. “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,” she stated. She continued, “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. ” The Context of Controversy Mr Skinner's casting was controversial from the outset, sparking a debate over the suitability of contestants drawn from different sectors of public life, particularly those involved in recent political discourse. The businessman, who first rose to prominence on The Apprentice in 2019, had recently drawn attention for his outspoken political views and associations.
Days before the series launch, the internet personality was pictured socialising with US Vice-President JD Vance, who was visiting the UK, and was reportedly seen wearing a 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) cap, a detail that amplified online criticism regarding his participation in a BBC entertainment programme. The start of the competition was also overshadowed by a high-profile incident at a press conference, where Mr Skinner walked out after snatching a journalist’s phone. He later addressed the incident, explaining he caught a glimpse of private messages about his past. This event, coupled with an admission weeks earlier that he had briefly cheated on his wife shortly after their wedding, contributed to the narrative of a polarising figure joining the cast. These accumulated controversies ensured Mr Skinner arrived on the dancefloor as one of the most talked-about, and divisive, contestants in recent years. This external noise, analysts suggest, may have skewed the focus away from the show’s primary goal of dancing prowess. Analysis of Impact and Casting The reaction to Mr Skinner’s time on the show has been viewed by some media observers as a reflection of the merging lines between entertainment casting and political celebrity. His brief run proved to be a significant draw for headlines, fulfilling a common reality television dynamic. Dr Emily Carter, a Senior Lecturer in Media Studies at the University of Westminster, suggested that the casting of controversial figures often ensures high engagement, regardless of their performance. "The BBC is under pressure to deliver high ratings, and controversy drives clicks and social media conversation, which are key metrics for modern programming success," Dr Carter stated in an interview following the results.
"Skinner's presence created a clear divide: those who appreciated his 'plucky underdog' persona and those who strongly objected to his controversial public stances. His swift elimination satisfies the latter group, but the initial inclusion maximised the show's overall visibility. It's a calculated risk in casting that ultimately served its purpose in generating buzz, even if it alienated some loyal viewers. " Outlook for the Series With the first elimination complete, the focus of the competition now shifts fully onto the remaining 14 celebrity pairings, who will continue to compete for the highly coveted Glitterball Trophy. Mr Skinner's departure marks a return to the competitive rhythm of the contest, where dancing technique and emotional connection are expected to dominate the narrative. For Mr Skinner, who runs several businesses and hosts a mental health podcast, the return to his established media career is immediate. His brief stint on Strictly has arguably cemented his position as a prominent figure in the UK’s reality and social media landscape, characterised by his signature catchphrase and unapologetic public style. While his tenure in the ballroom was short-lived, its impact on the early narrative of the 2025 series is likely to resonate for weeks to come.
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