<\/p>\n
It was all over before you could say \u201cbosh\u201d. Tom Skinner, the controversial businessman and former Apprentice <\/em>contestant, has become the first celebrity to be voted off this year\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing<\/em><\/a>. After the audience vote had been added to the judges\u2019 Week One and Week Two scores, Skinner and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, faced former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and dancer Nadiya Bychkova in the Sunday night dance-off. All four judges opted to save Robshaw and Bychkova.<\/p>\n It closes an ignominious chapter in Strictly\u2019<\/em>s increasingly chequered recent history and no doubt BBC execs will be secretly breathing a sigh of relief that Skinner has gone<\/a>. Not so long ago, Skinner was a cult figure on social media, beloved for his spectacular breakfasts and \u201cgrafting\u201d philosophy. However, in recent months his populist right-wing views have made him a figure of opprobrium online. Revelations of an affair and an incident in which he stormed off during a pre-Strictly <\/em>media appearance<\/a> further soured the atmosphere. Del Boy had become a naughty boy.<\/p>\n On one hand, it\u2019s a relatively uncontroversial decision. Skinner was easily among the bottom two celebrity dancers, along with morning TV host Ross King, and the only thing that might have saved him from tonight\u2019s dance-off was a concerted effort by those who sympathise with his political views. It would appear that did not happen (another sigh of relief in W1A there). Instead it appears that viewers chimed more with King\u2019s limited but sincere waltz and saved him from the dance-off. Had they not, Skinner might have been saved by the judges.<\/p>\n The fallout, however, could turn sour. It seems a certainty that Skinner\u2019s off-screen behaviour and reputation has done for him. Even among those who may have a certain amount of sympathy for his thoughts on immigration and national pride, Strictly<\/em><\/a> fans never like to see the programme dragged into ugliness. The tone is sweetness and light, good family fun, uplifting and joyous. It\u2019s not all Skinner\u2019s fault, but the circus around him was unedifying<\/a>. It\u2019s difficult to see how Skinner\u2019s baggage could compete with the uncomplicated wholesomeness of Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola. Or with Alex Kingston revealing she is making packed lunches for Johannes Radebe. Or with Balvinder Sopal talking about her nieces.<\/p>\n It was touching to hear Dowden\u2019s heartfelt tribute to Skinner, who she called \u201ca friend for life\u201d, and it was a reminder that the Essex wideboy was supposed to bring a barrel of fun to proceedings, not controversy. Dowden will have regrets, however. She admitted on the show that it was a shame that Skinner did not get a chance to dance ballroom \u2013 and it is not a coincidence that Robshaw and King this week danced waltzes. Neither displayed much technique, but they showed sincerity. And that counts for a lot.<\/p>\n