Former The Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding his early exit from Strictly Come Dancing and his subsequent absence from the show's grand finale. Speaking in a candid interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, 13th January 2026, Skinner opened up about discussions with the BBC, the intense media pressure on his family, and his future plans with the broadcaster.
BBC Discussions and Legal Advice
During his appearance alongside hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, Skinner directly addressed speculation about potential legal action against the BBC. He confirmed that conversations with the corporation had taken place. "I did have some chats with the BBC, I did," he revealed. According to Skinner, the BBC advised him that he had been sent information he should not have received and suggested he seek legal counsel.
He was quick to clarify his current relationship with the broadcaster, stating, "I've got no rows with the BBC." He pointed to his recent participation in Celebrity Apprentice for Children in Need and mentioned plans for future collaborations next year, signalling a continued professional relationship.
The Reason for Missing the Strictly Final
Susanna Reid questioned Skinner about his notable absence from the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 reunion final, where Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were crowned champions. Skinner explained his decision was driven by a desire to protect his family and avoid further negative headlines.
"The reason I didn't come back, this is the honest truth. I thought, I've had all this bad press, I've been frontpage every time I've been on the show, I didn't want to take away from everyone else," he confessed. He expressed concern for his wife, not wanting her to face another round of stressful stories. Ironically, he noted, "I ended up being front page anyway! So it didn't really matter."
Intense Media Scrutiny and Family Impact
Skinner gave a stark account of the relentless media attention he and his loved ones endured during his time on the show. He described journalists waiting outside his home, following his wife, and even approaching his sister and friends.
"It was stupid, there were journalists outside my house following my wife back from Sainsbury's, I saw my wife getting upset, and that's what hurt me more than anything, my wife and my family," he said emotionally. He recounted that reporters had sat in his local pub, offering money for stories about him, a situation he labelled as "mad."
Moving Forward from Strictly
Despite the challenges, Skinner reflected positively on his short-lived Strictly journey with professional partner Amy Dowden, who he said has now become a "family friend." He also revealed he has plans to play golf with fellow Strictly professional Kai Widdrington in the coming weeks.
The interview also touched on viewer claims that the public vote had been manipulated following his first-round elimination. In response, Susanna Reid read an official BBC statement which firmly asserted: "Strictly Come Dancing's public vote is independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy every week. Any claims to the contrary are entirely without foundation."
Good Morning Britain is available to stream on ITVX.
