The BBC has disputed Thomas Skinner's assertion that he received £2,000 for appearing on Question Time in Clacton-on-Sea. The former Apprentice and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who was the first eliminated from the 2025 series, joined host Fiona Bruce on the political discussion programme on Thursday, March 26.
Viewer anger erupted immediately, as Skinner was introduced as a 'TV personality' rather than a Reform UK party member. Audiences were also incensed that Nigel Farage, the elected MP for Clacton-on-Sea, was absent, with the BBC citing a longstanding policy that MPs representing the constituency where filming takes place only participate in special editions.
Skinner posted on X: 'I'm not there representing any party. I'm there because it pays £2,000, and I like watching Question Time... I've been asked probably nine or 10 times to attend over the last four or five years. So I decided to give it a go. And I really enjoyed it.' However, the official BBC Question Time account countered: 'Question Time can confirm that panellists who are not politicians are offered an appearance fee of £150.'
The episode sparked further controversy when Farage posted that he was told MPs cannot appear in their own constituencies. Labour MP Mike Tapp responded, recalling his own appearance in Dover. The BBC clarified that the policy applies unless it is a single-issue special, as was the case for Tapp. Viewers struggled to find this rule in the programme's official guidelines, prompting additional questions.
