Thomas Skinner has broken his silence after clashing with the press during a Strictly Come Dancing media day.
The Apprentice alum, 33, made headlines when he allegedly grabbed a journalist’s phone at Elstree Studios before storming out of a round-table interview.
The incident left former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had arrived with Skinner, continuing interviews alone.
Skinner has now apologised for the incident in a statement on Instagram, and confirmed he will be staying on the show.
It marked the first time in the show’s 25-year history that a celebrity contestant failed to complete the launch press day.
Organisers were reportedly furious, and BBC bosses were allegedly in talks over whether Skinner will remain on the show.
Earlier today, a source told The Sun Skinner would stay on the programme.
“Tom clearly felt stressed and wasn’t coping with the press conference,” an insider said.
“He acted in a very strange manner and grabbed a phone, which isn’t like him.
“After much discussion about whether he would be able to cope with the pressure of the series, it was decided that Tom was fine to stay on.”
The Standard has contacted the BBC and Thomas Skinner’s representative for comment.
Skinner has since said sorry, and claimed he “picked up someone else's phone” as he “happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages - not about Strictly - but about a personal story from my past”.
“During one of the interviews, a journalist placed their phone on the table to record the conversation,” Skinner wrote on Instagram.
“I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages - not about Strictly - but about a personal story from my past.
“I've been through some difficult times in my life, which I've worked hard to move on from. In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard.
“I felt it was best to step away and gather myself.
“This had nothing to do with the interviews or Strictly itself. I'm sorry I picked up someone else's phone and I don't even know if the journalist realised their messages were visible, and I don't want to suggest any bad intentions on their part.
“What I do want to say is how excited I am to be part of Strictly this year.
“I'm so grateful for all the love, kindness and support I've been shown so far. It means the world to me, and I can't wait to give it my all on that dancefloor. Bosh.”
Skinner’s casting has already proved divisive. He has been criticised for online posts claiming it is “not far-right” to fly the Union Jack and describing London as “hostile” and “tense.”
Earlier this year, he boasted about attending a barbecue with US Vice President JD Vance, a close ally of Donald Trump, calling it a “once in a lifetime” moment.
His inclusion in the line-up prompted former Big Brother star Narinder Kaur to complain she was deemed “too controversial” for the programme.
The controversy comes at an awkward moment for the BBC, only hours after director-general Tim Davie defended Skinner’s casting in front of MPs from the Culture, Media and Sport committee, following criticism of the star’s outspoken political views.
He shared: “That was not my decision, that was the production team looking for those people… who want to do Strictly, and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.
“Clearly, we wouldn’t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn’t accept them.
“But that’s not the case here, from what I know, I’m not an expert on the individual, per se.”
Skinner, known for his “bosh” catchphrase, will appear alongside Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen and CBBC actress Ellie Goldstein – who will make history as the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to compete in a full series of Strictly. The new season launches later this month.
