Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has reportedly been forced to abandon plans to launch a homeware range after a legal clash with household electrical giant Bosch.
The 34-year-old businessman, known for his catchphrase “Bosh”, had hoped to release a collection of bedding and candles under the phrase he regularly uses on social media and first popularised during his 2019 stint on The Apprentice.
However, according to The Sun, the German firm argued the similarity to its own brand name – which appears on washing machines, dishwashers and televisions – was too close for comfort.
It is reported lawyers acting for Bosch took the case to a names tribunal, which ruled against Skinner, leaving him with no choice but to change the branding.
“Thomas had huge plans for the Bosh name,” a source told the paper. “But as his profile and following grew, Bosch got wind of it and put their lawyers on the case. He was powerless to stop it.”
Skinner is currently partnered with Amy Dowden on the BBC’s flagship dance competition, but his time in the spotlight has been far from smooth sailing.
Earlier this month, he admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead just weeks after they married in 2022. He described the two-week fling with another woman as “the worst thing I’ve ever had to do”, but added he was “so lucky” his wife forgave him.
Some fans also voiced frustration that Dowden’s comeback — after taking time away from the show last year following her breast cancer diagnosis — coincided with Skinner’s Strictly debut, questioning whether he would help her progress far in the competition.
Dowden, however, publicly praised her new partner and called him “dedicated” and “full of energy”.
The Romford-born entrepreneur has also drawn criticism over his friendship with US Vice President JD Vance, whom he met during a family holiday in Britain.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Skinner hit back at his detractors, insisting: “Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down and called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve… but I won’t be cancelled.”
He added: “Every insult, every lie, every attack… it don’t break me, it builds me stronger.”
The Standard contacted representatives for Skinner and Bosch for comment.
A Bosch spokesperson said: “As a matter of principle, Bosch doesn’t comment on legal proceedings. But we can confirm that an application to the Company Names Tribunal was made last year. No defence was lodged in response, and the matter was concluded in August 2024.”
