Thomas Skinner, a former contestant on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, has alleged that the network rigged the voting process, leading to his elimination from the show. In a social media post, Skinner revealed receiving an anonymous email from a purported BBC executive, which claimed he had received significantly more votes than initially indicated. The email also suggested the BBC's dissatisfaction with Skinner's meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance. Skinner's claims are supported by reports that he is suing the BBC, alleging the vote was unfairly manipulated against him. A BBC spokesperson refutes these claims, asserting that the public vote for Strictly is independently monitored and verified for accuracy. PromoVeritas, the company responsible for validating the show's public vote, confirms that all votes are thoroughly checked by two auditors. The BBC denies any awareness of legal complaints regarding the matter. Skinner's absence from the final episode, where former contestants return, was announced ahead of the event, with Skinner citing personal reasons. He expressed his intention to clarify his absence, stating he doesn't want people to perceive him as bitter. Skinner provided an independent verification of the email's authenticity, though the method remains unclear. He also mentioned other perceived injustices, such as the theft of his welcome gift, adding to the overall sense of unfairness. The BBC, however, notes that Skinner has not shared the email with them and that the Strictly team does not provide welcome gifts to contestants. Skinner's rise to fame began with his appearance on The Apprentice in 2019, followed by appearances on various TV shows. He is also known for his social media presence, sharing motivational videos with his signature 'bosh' ending. However, he has faced criticism for his interactions with political figures, including a meeting with Donald Trump's vice-president and a photo wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat. Skinner emphasizes his patriotism, stating he is not politically inclined but loves his country.
