Thomas Skinner has addressed reports he is pursuing legal action against the BBC following his departure from Strictly Come Dancing.
The former Apprentice contestant took to X on Saturday morning to confirm he would not be present at this evening’s series finale.
In his statement, Mr Skinner explained he had consulted with his professional dance partner Amy Dowden before making the decision to stay away from the broadcast.
“She’s a good person and a good friend now, I’d never let her down,” he wrote.
BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner broke his silence over reports he is suing the BBC
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BBCThe businessman, who was eliminated first from the competition in September alongside Ms Dowden, reflected on initially receiving the opportunity to participate back in April.
“I was buzzing. Not because I can dance…. I can’t. But because I really wanted to test myself and learn something completely out of my comfort zone,” he stated.
Mr Skinner revealed that on the evening of his elimination, he received an anonymous email purportedly from a BBC executive containing voting statistics.
The message allegedly claimed he had secured significantly more public votes than his final placement suggested.
BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner took part in this year’s BBC Strictly
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BBC“I’ve since had the email independently verified,” he stated.
According to Mr Skinner, the correspondence also referenced the broadcaster’s reaction to his relationship with US Vice President JD Vance.
“That same email mentioned the BBC was very angry and nervous simply because I had met JD Vance,” he wrote.
The reality television personality pushed back against characterisations of himself as politically motivated.
LATEST BBC STRICTLY DEVELOPMENTS
As most of you will have seen in the papers, I won’t be at the final of Strictly Come Dancing tonight.
First thing I wanna say is this…. I spoke with my lovely dance partner, Amy Dowden to make sure she was okay with me not attending. She’s a good person and a good friend now,…
— Thomas Skinner ⚒ (@iamtomskinner) December 20, 2025
“Let me be clear, I’m not a political bloke. Never have been. I just love my country and am patriotic,” he explained, adding that media coverage had portrayed him as “this political figure” unfairly.
Mr Skinner stated he had requested access to the official voting records to verify the figures contained in the anonymous email.
“I was told they couldn’t be shown to me and have never been shown in the history of the show,” he claimed.
The former contestant said he had discussed the matter with senior BBC personnel and the corporation’s welfare team.
BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner were the first to be eliminated this year
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BBC“They was the ones who advised me to get legal advice because of how unfair it all was. (This was not my idea),” he wrote.
A BBC spokesperson responded to the allegations, telling GB News: “Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is robust and independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy.”
Corporation sources also indicated to the publication that no formal legal complaint or documentation had been received regarding the matter.
Mr Skinner also highlighted what he described as smaller incidents that contributed to his sense of unfair treatment.
He claimed that while all contestants received welcome gifts including skincare products and face masks, his was allegedly stolen.
“On its own, it’s nothing… but added to everything else, it felt strange,” he wrote.
The businessman noted that following his receipt of the verified email, a senior BBC figure had resigned and the programme’s main presenters subsequently announced their departure.
“I’m not saying it has anything to do with me. It’s just all very coincidental,” he stated.
Skinner acknowledged his dancing abilities were limited, writing: “I was rubbish at dancing, we all know that.”
He concluded by wishing the remaining finalists well and emphasising he was not seeking attention, stating he simply believes “in fairness and respect.”