Former The Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner has made explosive allegations that the BBC rigged the public vote on Strictly Come Dancing, announcing he is now seeking legal advice. The BBC has robustly denied the claims, stating they are "entirely without foundation".
The Allegations and the Anonymous Email
In a lengthy social media post on the morning of the Strictly 2025 final, Skinner revealed he received an anonymous email after his elimination in September. The email, which he claims to have had independently verified, purported to be from a BBC executive and contained voting statistics. It alleged he had received far more public votes than were represented on the show.
Skinner wrote that the same email suggested BBC executives were "very angry and nervous" due to his friendship with US Vice President JD Vance. He insisted he is not a political figure, but a patriotic businessman who was unfairly portrayed in the media following his controversial casting.
"I have asked to see the official voting figures to back up the ones I was sent in the email but was told they couldn't be shown to me and have never been shown in the history of the show," Skinner stated. He added that the BBC's welfare team and senior figures advised him to seek legal counsel.
BBC's Firm Rejection and Independent Verification
The BBC issued a strong rebuttal to Skinner's claims. A spokesperson told The Independent: "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."
They noted that, despite requests, Skinner has not shared the anonymous email with the BBC, preventing them from commenting on it directly.
The independent verification company for Strictly, PromoVeritas, also responded. They confirmed: "All votes are independently and comprehensively verified by two auditors. We can confirm that all votes received are validated. This has been the case every week and we have reported no issues."
Context and Fallout
Skinner's casting was contentious from the start, criticised due to his association with JD Vance and past social media comments about London being "hostile" and "tense". He and professional partner Amy Dowden were the first couple eliminated in September.
In his statement, Skinner cited other minor grievances, including a missing welcome gift, which he felt contributed to a pattern of unfair treatment. He also pointed to the coincidental timing of a senior BBC figure's resignation and the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, while stressing he was not claiming direct responsibility.
Despite the controversy, Skinner will appear on BBC screens this Christmas in Celebrity Apprentice, having attended its press launch last month. His allegations add to a challenging period for Strictly, which has faced various controversies in recent years.
The drama unfolded as the 2025 final aired on 20 December, featuring finalists Karen Carney, George Clarke, and Amber Davies, in the last live show hosted by Daly and Winkleman.
