Thomas Skinner, the first contestant eliminated from this year's Strictly Come Dancing, has claimed the BBC rigged the vote to ensure his departure. The businessman said he received an anonymous email, purportedly from a BBC executive, showing he received far more votes than were counted.
Skinner, a former Apprentice candidate, was voted off in September. He alleged the email also stated the BBC was 'angry' and 'nervous' about his meeting with US vice-president JD Vance, with whom he posed wearing a 'Make America Great Again' cap.
The BBC has denied the allegations, stating the public vote is independently overseen and verified. A spokesperson said Skinner has not shared the email with the BBC despite requests. PromoVeritas, the independent verifier, confirmed all votes are validated by two auditors with no issues reported.
Skinner also claimed his welcome gift was stolen, the only one among contestants. The BBC said it did not supply welcome gifts to any cast member. He will not attend Saturday's final but is set to appear on BBC's Celebrity Apprentice later this month.
