Former star of The Apprentice Thomas Skinner caused an uproar when he stormed out of Strictly Come Dancing interviews

Thomas Skinner will not be dropped from the Strictly Come Dancing line-up, despite walking out of the show’s official press launch yesterday.

The Essex pillow salesman, who found fame on The Apprentice, is said to have been feeling “incredibly nervous” about taking part in the show, which prompted his unusual behaviour.

But despite the BBC appearing to issue him a warning by saying that “any behaviour which falls below the standards expected will not be tolerated” – he will remain on the show.

Thomas Skinner will remain on the Strictly Come Dancing line-up, despite his outburst ( 
Image:
PA)
One insider said that all 15 of the celebrities were due to film the launch programme today, which airs on the 20th September. “He’s expected to continue,” they added. “It was a surprise turn of events yesterday but hopefully everything will return to normal today.”

Former Apprentice star Thomas snatched a reporter’s phone and stormed out of interviews as he was asked about the launch of Strictly, sparking questions over if he would remain in the celebrity line-up.

Skinner took issue with being recorded as he spoke. He had arrived at the interview table alongside fellow contestant, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was left having to do interviews on his own.

He was heard saying: “What’s that? Are you taping it?” The reporter answered: “We have to record it,” before she was heard asking: “What are you doing?”

A voice was heard: “Just answer the question, we’ve got three minutes,” before the reporter said: “No, no, no, don’t.”

Thomas then told them: “That’s about me,” before the reporter answered: “No, it’s not.” When one person asked ‘what made them run the question’, the reporter said they were ‘just recording it’.

After a few moments of inaudible audio, someone else said: “Oh my God, he’s gone.”

Thomas, pictured with Vice President JD Vance, is a controversial signing to this year’s show ( 
Image:
iamtomskinner/X)
The Apprentice star’s antics sparked fans of the hit BBC show to call for him to be axed. Taking to X, they shared their thoughts as one user wrote: “This is what the BBC deserve because I for one am not surprised at all. Now drop the axe IMMEDIATELY. #Strictly.”

“Get rid of him man child #strictly,” another fumed. “Well I can’t say I’m surprised should never had been part of the show to begin with hope he’s axed,” someone else complained.

Thomas has been a controversial signing to this year’s series of the Saturday night staple, with many viewers fuming over him taking part due to his outspoken views on social media and his affiliations with Donald Trump’s vice president JD Vance.