Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner is reportedly initiating legal proceedings against the BBC. The reality TV personality alleges that the voting process on the popular dance competition was manipulated to ensure his early exit from the show.
Claims of 'Foul Play' and a Trump-Style Lawsuit
Skinner, who was partnered with professional dancer Amy Dowden, was the first celebrity to be eliminated from the series. The show's format combines judges' scores with the results of a public vote, though the exact number of votes each participant receives is never disclosed by the BBC.
According to sources speaking to The Sun, Skinner is adamant he received a larger share of the public vote than was reflected in the results. He reportedly believes he has evidence that his total was intentionally understated, leading to his elimination. An insider suggested Skinner is "following in Donald Trump's footsteps" by pursuing legal action against the broadcasting corporation.
"Thomas is determined to see it through, but there's no way the BBC will take this sensational claim lying down," the source stated, adding that the BBC would "robustly defend any kinds of claims that the voting was rigged or fixed."
BBC Response and Weekend Final Snub
When approached for comment by the Mirror, a BBC spokesperson defended the show's integrity, stating: "Strictly Come Dancing's public vote is robust and independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy." Sources within the BBC also indicated that, as of the report on 19 December 2025, they had not received any formal legal complaint or paperwork regarding the matter.
Despite the controversy, it is understood that Skinner's absence from this weekend's final is due to a prior engagement, not a direct boycott. His professional partner, Amy Dowden, is still scheduled to perform with fellow dancers.
Background of Controversy
Speculation has surrounded Skinner since his casting was announced. His time on the show was preceded by several controversies, including:
- Facing criticism for social media activity, including a selfie with US Vice President JD Vance.
- Walking out of the Strictly press launch and grabbing a journalist's phone.
- Publicly confessing to cheating on his wife shortly after their wedding.
Furthermore, the Mirror reported that one of Skinner's companies has not repaid a £50,000 Covid bounce back loan.
Other celebrities who participated in the same series included Vicky Pattison, Lewis Cope, and Alex Kingston, all of whom are expected to return for the final episode.
