Thomas Skinner, known for his appearance on The Apprentice, has spoken out following rumors that he intends to take legal action against the BBC over allegations of manipulated voting in his early exit from Strictly Come Dancing.
In a social media post, Skinner confirmed his absence from the Strictly final, expressing his respect for his dance partner and his motivation to challenge himself by participating in the show despite lacking dancing skills.
Skinner revealed that he received an anonymous email on the night of his elimination suggesting discrepancies in the voting results. He alleged that the email implicated the BBC and referenced his meeting with USA Vice President, JD Vance, causing tension within the broadcaster.
Despite requesting to see official voting data to verify the claims, Skinner stated that he was denied access to the information, leading him to seek legal counsel based on advice from the BBC welfare team.
When questioned about the potential legal action, a spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing emphasized the rigorous and independent oversight of public voting to ensure accuracy, noting the absence of any formal complaints or legal filings from Skinner.
Skinner also alluded to the departure of show hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, attributing it to a series of events following the receipt of the anonymous email, although he clarified that he was not claiming direct responsibility for the resignations.
Concluding his statement, Skinner emphasized his commitment to fairness and respect, expressing support for the remaining contestants and highlighting his focus on his personal life and business endeavors outside the show.