![\"IndependentCulture\"](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/indyArts1_1.png\")
<\/div>\nGet the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email<\/h3>\nGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter <\/h3>\nGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStrictly Come Dancing<\/a> contestant Thomas Skinner<\/a> has walked out of the BBC dance competition\u2019s first press event ahead of the show\u2019s launch later this month. <\/p>\nThe former Apprentice star<\/a>, 34, left the event at Elstree Studios after speaking to journalists who were interviewing him alongside former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink<\/a>. <\/p>\nSkinner and his fellow Strictly contestants were taking part in roundtable interviews, where celebrities speak to journalists for a few minutes at a time before swapping tables with other stars.<\/p>\n
The social media star reportedly objected to being taped and grabbed a reporter\u2019s phone before walking out of the interview, per Mail Online<\/a>. <\/p>\nThe Independent has contacted Skinner and Strictly Come Dancing\u2019s representatives for comment. <\/p>\n
Skinner, who is now a social media star, has drawn strong criticism<\/a> in recent weeks for X (Twitter) posts saying it is \u201cnot far-right<\/a>\u201d to be \u201cflying your flag and loving your country\u201d, and complaining \u201cit ain\u2019t safe out there any more\u201d in London, saying the city is \u201chostile\u201d and \u201ctense\u201d.<\/p>\nOthers have taken issue with Skinner socialising with US vice-president JD Vance during his visit to the Cotswolds this summer<\/a>, during which time he was pictured wearing a Maga cap. <\/p>\n\n![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/08\/14\/8\/04\/ts.jpg\")
<\/p>\nopen image in gallery<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nThomas Skinner has walked out of a \u2018Strictly Come Dancing\u2019 press event ahead of the show\u2019s launch (BBC)<\/span><\/div>\nEarlier this week, BBC<\/a> director general Tim Davie<\/a> defended the decision to cast Skinner<\/a> in the forthcoming Strictly Come Dancing series.<\/p>\n Speaking to MPs<\/a> from the Culture, Media and Sport committee, Mr Davie said: \u201cThat was not my decision, that was the production team looking for those people \u2026 who want to do Strictly, and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.\u201d<\/p>\nThe 58-year-old added: \u201cClearly, we wouldn\u2019t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn\u2019t accept them.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/Apple_TV_Plus.png\")
<\/p>\n\nWatch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n
New subscribers only. \u00a38.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Try for free<\/a><\/div>\nADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nWatch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n
New subscribers only. \u00a38.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStrictly Come Dancing<\/a> contestant Thomas Skinner<\/a> has walked out of the BBC dance competition\u2019s first press event ahead of the show\u2019s launch later this month. <\/p>\nThe former Apprentice star<\/a>, 34, left the event at Elstree Studios after speaking to journalists who were interviewing him alongside former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink<\/a>. <\/p>\nSkinner and his fellow Strictly contestants were taking part in roundtable interviews, where celebrities speak to journalists for a few minutes at a time before swapping tables with other stars.<\/p>\n
The social media star reportedly objected to being taped and grabbed a reporter\u2019s phone before walking out of the interview, per Mail Online<\/a>. <\/p>\nThe Independent has contacted Skinner and Strictly Come Dancing\u2019s representatives for comment. <\/p>\n
Skinner, who is now a social media star, has drawn strong criticism<\/a> in recent weeks for X (Twitter) posts saying it is \u201cnot far-right<\/a>\u201d to be \u201cflying your flag and loving your country\u201d, and complaining \u201cit ain\u2019t safe out there any more\u201d in London, saying the city is \u201chostile\u201d and \u201ctense\u201d.<\/p>\nOthers have taken issue with Skinner socialising with US vice-president JD Vance during his visit to the Cotswolds this summer<\/a>, during which time he was pictured wearing a Maga cap. <\/p>\n\n<\/p>\nopen image in gallery<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nThomas Skinner has walked out of a \u2018Strictly Come Dancing\u2019 press event ahead of the show\u2019s launch (BBC)<\/span><\/div>\nEarlier this week, BBC<\/a> director general Tim Davie<\/a> defended the decision to cast Skinner<\/a> in the forthcoming Strictly Come Dancing series.<\/p>\n Speaking to MPs<\/a> from the Culture, Media and Sport committee, Mr Davie said: \u201cThat was not my decision, that was the production team looking for those people \u2026 who want to do Strictly, and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.\u201d<\/p>\nThe 58-year-old added: \u201cClearly, we wouldn\u2019t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn\u2019t accept them.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nWatch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n
New subscribers only. \u00a38.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Try for free<\/a><\/div>\nADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\nWatch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n
New subscribers only. \u00a38.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nStrictly Come Dancing<\/a> contestant Thomas Skinner<\/a> has walked out of the BBC dance competition\u2019s first press event ahead of the show\u2019s launch later this month. <\/p>\n The former Apprentice star<\/a>, 34, left the event at Elstree Studios after speaking to journalists who were interviewing him alongside former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink<\/a>. <\/p>\n Skinner and his fellow Strictly contestants were taking part in roundtable interviews, where celebrities speak to journalists for a few minutes at a time before swapping tables with other stars.<\/p>\n The social media star reportedly objected to being taped and grabbed a reporter\u2019s phone before walking out of the interview, per Mail Online<\/a>. <\/p>\n The Independent has contacted Skinner and Strictly Come Dancing\u2019s representatives for comment. <\/p>\n Skinner, who is now a social media star, has drawn strong criticism<\/a> in recent weeks for X (Twitter) posts saying it is \u201cnot far-right<\/a>\u201d to be \u201cflying your flag and loving your country\u201d, and complaining \u201cit ain\u2019t safe out there any more\u201d in London, saying the city is \u201chostile\u201d and \u201ctense\u201d.<\/p>\n Others have taken issue with Skinner socialising with US vice-president JD Vance during his visit to the Cotswolds this summer<\/a>, during which time he was pictured wearing a Maga cap. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Thomas Skinner has walked out of a \u2018Strictly Come Dancing\u2019 press event ahead of the show\u2019s launch (BBC)<\/span><\/div>\n Earlier this week, BBC<\/a> director general Tim Davie<\/a> defended the decision to cast Skinner<\/a> in the forthcoming Strictly Come Dancing series.<\/p>\n Speaking to MPs<\/a> from the Culture, Media and Sport committee, Mr Davie said: \u201cThat was not my decision, that was the production team looking for those people \u2026 who want to do Strictly, and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.\u201d<\/p>\n The 58-year-old added: \u201cClearly, we wouldn\u2019t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn\u2019t accept them.<\/p>\n Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n New subscribers only. \u00a38.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Try for free<\/a><\/div>\n ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n New subscribers only. \u00a38.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Skinner](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/08\/13\/7\/36\/jd-vance-thomas-skinner1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n