Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner stormed out of a press interview at BBC's Elstree Studios after allegedly grabbing a reporter's phone. The 34-year-old Apprentice star abruptly declared 'I'm not doing this' and left the room, according to eyewitnesses.
An eyewitness told the Mirror that Skinner walked to the table with his head down, sat down, and snatched one of the reporter's phones. The reporter told him to stop, and his reaction 'came out of nowhere.' Just minutes earlier, he had seemed in good spirits.
The incident left former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had arrived with Skinner, to continue interviews alone. BBC bosses are reportedly in talks over whether Skinner will remain on the show, with organisers said to be furious.
Hours before the outburst, Skinner had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he 'cannot be bought' and would not say things just to keep people happy. His casting has been controversial due to past online posts about the Union Jack and describing London as 'hostile.'
BBC director-general Tim Davie defended Skinner's inclusion to MPs this week, stating the production team chooses contestants they believe will appeal to audiences. The new series of Strictly Come Dancing launches later this month.
