Strictly Come Dancing adds The Apprentice star Tom Skinner to 2025 line-up
He's a TV personality, social media star and businessman and will enter the famous ballroom when Strictly returns to BBC One this September
A star of The Apprentice and Celebrity MasterChef has been added to the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up. Thomas Skinner has been announced as the tenth celebrity joining the new series of Strictly, as announced on Hits Radio this morning, August 14.
So far, nine other stars have been confirmed for the 2025 line-up, with more names expected to be revealed in the days ahead. You can read the full line-up so far, here.
Meanwhile, for everything Strictly 2025, click here. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
Thomas Skinner first hit TV screens on The Apprentice in 2019, becoming a breakout star of his series. Since leaving the boardroom, Thomas has appeared on TV shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, Good Morning Britain and Faking It, alongside a memorable and meme-worthy appearance on Celebrity MasterChef.
Born and bred in Romford, Thomas is a self-confessed 'grafter' who has spent much of his life on market stalls and currently runs a number of small businesses, ranging from mattresses to a gym. His motivational-style social media videos, often featuring unconventional breakfasts, have become hugely popular.
In 2023 he released his debut book Graft – How to Smash Life. Thomas is also a regular on TalkSport Radio and in 2024 he presented their men's mental health podcast The Men's Room with Neil Ruddock.
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On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Thomas Skinner says: 'I'm beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I've tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!
"I've never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I'm ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!'
Today's news was first teased by Thomas in a video posted on his social accounts from his favourite cafe this morning. The news was then confirmed on Hits Radio with Sam Thompson. The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series of Strictly will be announced in due course.
The new series of Strictly will return to BBC next month, on September 20, as confirmed by Jon Kay on BBC Breakfast this week, more on that here.
So far the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing line-up includes Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka Nitro on Gladiators, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal and Youtuber George Clarke.
La Voix and Chris Robshaw were revealed as the seventh and eighth stars joining the Strictly line-up during Scott Mills' BBC Radio 2 Show on Wednesday. Also, trailblazing model and actress, Ellie Goldstein participation in the show was also announced.
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Strictly Come Dancing 2025 returns to BBC One this September
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Strictly's Dani Dyer, Tom Skinner and Gladiator Nitro arrive at show rehearsals – as full line up is revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STRICTLY Come Dancing stars Dani Dyer, Tom Skinner and Gladiator Nitro have all been spotted arriving at rehearsals for the show, as buzz about the new series continues. Today the final contestant was announced, and now the full line up of stars has been revealed. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 Gladiator Nitro lead the celebrities arriving for Strictly rehearsals Credit: James Curley 8 Dani Dyer looked rehearsal ready in her gym kit Credit: James Curley 8 Thomas Skinner looked happy to get started on Strictly Credit: James Curley 8 Vicky Pattinson looked happy and relaxed to start her Strictly journey Credit: James Curley Apprentice star Thomas, Love Island' star's Dani Dyer and Gladiator Nitro - who's real name Harry Aikines Aryeetey - have kicked off their Strictly Come Dancing journey The trio were seen heading into their first rehearsal, after being named as part of the all star line-up. They looked happy and relaxed, after revealing their joy at taking part in the show. After he was announced as a Strictly 2025 star, Nitro said: "It's one of those things that you're so, so excited about. It is a massive process, but I can't wait to be a part of it." Dani who was announced second, said: "Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I've done this year! "I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on." While Thomas, who was revealed just yesterday, said: "I'm so looking forward to it, I'm excited, I'm buzzing. "I cannot dance but I'm going to learn how to dance, I'm going to try and win it." They were later joined by fellow contestants Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein and Alex Kingston, who were also spotted heading into rehearsals. The stars are getting ready for the Strictly launch show next month, which will see them reveal who their have been partnered with. Big Brother star slams Strictly signing Thomas Skinner in shock rant fuming 'kiss my a***' STRICTLY BACKLASH Meanwhile, after it was revealed Tom had been signed up for Strictly, there was some backlash due to his past. The star has been open about his previous conviction for handling stolen goods in 2011. Taking to X, he wrote: "Yes I did get arrested when I was younger, in fact I get arrested several times. "And been charged and paid the price for my convictions. I wrote a book about it." 8 Dani was seen smiling as she kicked off her stint on Strictly Credit: James Curley 8 Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis was also spotted Credit: James Curley 8 Ellie Goldstein looked ready to get started on rehearsals Credit: James Curley 8 Alex Kingston was also seen today Credit: James Curley Thomas is known for his outspoken political opinions on social media, having expressed support for President Donald Trump. However, some fans were not happy with the casting choice as droves of disgruntled users took to social media to complain. One user stated: "Right, so who in the Strictly production team signed up Thomas Skinner?!" "I'm so serious, I loved this year's #Strictly line up but casting Thomas Skinner has completely ruined the WHOLE thing," raged someone else. However, other fans have defended the star and they have praised the show for the casting choice. One fan posted on X: "I am sorry guys can someone explain the real problem with Thomas Skinner being on strictly come dancing? He is real nice guy and genuine." A second stated: "I think it's great Thomas Skinner is going to be on Strictly and definitely a superb signing for common sense and decency." The Sun previously approached representatives for Strictly Come Dancing and Thomas Skinner for comment.
Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
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Strictly Come Dancing's Nadiya Bychkova shares health update after horror fall
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an hour ago
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Strictly star Tom Skinner's controversial life – JD Vance link, crime past and family life
Strictly Come Dancing divided fans when they announced former The Apprentice star, Thomas Skinner, as one of the contestants in the upcoming series of the competition Strictly Come Dancing fans were divided when The Apprentice star Tom Skinner was announced as a contestant on the upcoming series of the BBC dance competition. He initially gained a huge following due to his everyman persona mainly going on about grafting hard for success. However, he has been at the receiving end of backlash in recent months due to his controversial social media posts and newly-formed friendship with US Vice President JD Vance. When the programme confirmed his stint on the show, many rushed to the comment section to share their concerns. One user said: ""Oh no. This man is so offensive," and another posted: "Yeah Strictly ... this ain't it. This is such a bad vibe choice. Ugly opinions and deeply polarising. Can't help but feel like this is going to be an own goal." Some were more supportive and wrote: "Brilliant news to get such a great character on the show. I'll certainly be watching this year. Top chap." It comes after a Strictly Come Dancing star pulls out of show as he makes career announcement. Ahead of his stint on the dance competition, The Mirror took a deep dive into his life from his JD Vance friendship to controversial comments... JD Vance friendship While followers enjoyed his no-nonsense posts on X/ Twitter, he has been known to share controversial views on his personal page. He recently revealed he enjoyed a BBQ with US Vice President JD Vance after showing support for convicted felon Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Vance and Skinner previously chatted on social media before meeting "in the beautiful English countryside" where the VP is holidaying in the Cotswolds. After hanging out, Skinner wrote on X: "Unreal night with JD and his friends and family. He was a proper gent. Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grand kids about." He also posted a picture of himself posing with Vance after a "couple of beers". He said: "Here is a pic of Me and Vice President @JDVance towards the end of the night after a few beers. "I'm overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don't risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh." Vance first voiced his support for Skinner when the former Apprentice star said he was receiving 'death threats' a 'comments about his children' after he claimed 'something's gone wrong in the UK' and wanted to stand up for 'traditional, hard-working, family values.' The VP shared a picture of an 'incel' cartoon character from South Park and told him: "Hang in there, my friend. Remember that 90 percent of people attacking your family look like this." Controversial tweets Not only has Skinner voiced his support for Trump, he once urged people to "stop bending over backwards for the woke brigade" in a since-deleted post on X. He previously claimed on X that "London has fallen", posting to his followers: "I still believe in its people. And I believe it can rise again. But we need change. Real change. We need safety. We need pride. We need leadership that understands the streets, the markets, the working class." Some thought he was criticising London mayor Sadiq Khan, but Skinner claimed he doesn't vote and distanced himself from politics. He said: "I don't vote. I've been invited to the houses of parliament by Labour to talk about small businesses. "The problem we have about the political parties in the UK is the people behind them are normally failed business people or they have worked in the political sector they're whole working life and don't understand the real world. We need more people with a backbone in politics. Who understand the real world. Who understand real problems." He recently denied being right wing after meeting up with Vance. Speaking to MailOnline following the Strictly announcement, he said: "I'm not right wing. Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you." However, he still declared support for Trump and even posed in a MAGA hat in a post shared online. In November last year, he sad in a since-deleted tweet: " David Lammy has made a proper t*t of himself hasn't he. This is the Geeza we have representing the UK. Why don't we have real people in politics, business owners and real people who actually know how to become successful and stand up for what is right. People that have been in real life situations and had to adapt. Not be a weatherc**k." Skinner added: "Anyway I love Trump I think he is brilliant, that's my opinion. I think it's good he is back in charge, it will be good for the UK economy. UK always piggy backs off the USA. We all have opinions that is mine. Happy Wednesday I'm gonna drink another lemon Fanta and eat some paella." In a recent Tweet, Tom revealed he enjoyed "winding people up on X" as he wrote: "I love my Country. I love my Wife. I love my Kids. I love my Family. I love my Friends. I love West Ham. I love Dinos Cafe. I love my followers. I love my grub. I love winding people up on X. GOOD NIGHT GOD BLESS. BOSH" Past convictions Prior to his television appearances, commercial achievements, and celebrity status, Skinner's life took a dramatically different direction. In 2016, at just 24 years old, he as convicted for handling stolen merchandise valued at nearly £40,000 after purchasing 4,992 tubes of Body Shop cleansing gel and having 2,000 diazepam tablets from what he subsequently acknowledged was an "unreliable source". He was later sentenced and his conviction has since been spent and Skinner has since maintained he's a "changed man". He told the Daily Mail in a previous interview: "Many years ago before I had my business, I was young and naive and bought stock from someone I didn't know. "I wasn't aware the stock was stolen and paid the consequences for the mistake I made. That is now well in my past, I've had a string of successful companies since then. I am a changed man." After news of Tom's past broke just before his stint on The Apprentice in 2019 aired, a BBC spokesperson said: "DBS checks are done for all The Apprentice candidates by the production company ahead of filming. "A spent conviction is not disclosed under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Spent convictions are designed to help people move on in life and not be excluded from opportunities to help further their careers." Narinder Kaur row Narinder Kaur was one of many who slammed Strictly Come Dancing for signing Skinner onto the show. Narinder, who is best known as an ex-Big Brother contestant, took to X immediately to complain about the news that he is to be on the show as she claimed she had been deemed 'too controversial' for it herself. She said: "Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you'll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!! #BBCStrictly your unconscious bias and prejudicial views against British brown women is disgraceful." In an accompanying video, Narinder added that she was 'raging' with the broadcaster for the actions as she pointed out his criminal past. She said: "They wouldn't take me on, we approached them and they said that I was too controversial. They put brown women and black women on who are quiet because that's the kind of brown and black woman their audience likes. "But God forbid you're a brown woman who has some opinions, then they'll never take you on. But if white man, Thomas Skinner, proud patriot, Thomas Skinner, of the online right, who has got a criminal past, they'll take you on!" He soon responded: "Narinder, I respect that you stand up for what you believe in, not everyone's got the guts to do that. Yes, I've got a past, but I'm not here to divide people. "I'm just trying to get people to believe in themselves and realise they can do more than they think. Life can be so much better when you let happiness in and don't always be angry towards others. If I've ever upset you, I'm sorry… that's never been my intention. I wish ya nothing but peace, happiness, and a life you can truly enjoy. Bosh." Strictly Come Dancing backlash Since the announcement of Tom joining the Strictly line-up, he was met with a lot of backlash online. As the news was shared on Strictly's official Instagram page, one viewer wrote: "A disgusting booking on a show that seemingly celebrates inclusivity and diversity." Another show fan said: "I cannot believe you're platforming this guy." While a third added: "Awful choice" followed by two green faced emoji. Tom has since responded to the backlash on his X page as he tweeted: "They say don't read the comments on social media. But I couldn't help myself. I've had absolute pellets all day on my instagram lost about going on strictly." He then shared a link to Instagram as he went on: "Have a look at some of these on Instagram …. Why are some people so angry that don't even know me. Not Bosh." In a later post, Tom revealed why he thinks he's been branded a controversial signing to the show. He wrote: "Good morning you lovely people!! Big day today! It's the first day filming for Strictly! Buzzing for it, proud as anything, but the reason I'm up and out the door at 2.30am is because I've got to get all my normal work done beforehand! "I have had so much love on here btw, just wanted to say thank you for all the support. Some call me 'controversial,' but I think it's just a dig at normal, hard-working people if I'm honest. But we don't let that stop us. We keep going, we look out for each other, and we use it to drive us forward. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to sleep in bed till about 6 or 7, but with 3 kids, a lovely home, and a wife who's in Marks & Spencer four times a week, I've got to keep the wheels turning! "So whatever's in your way today, don't let it slow ya down. Back yaself and back each other, and keep smiling whilst ya do it. I'll be having a pint later this evening in my local…..so if you are around that area. Beers on me. Have a blinding day everyone. Bosh". Family life The Strictly Come Dancing star regularly shares updates of his family life on social media. Tom is married to wife Sinéad Chambers and the couple, who wed in May 2022, share three children together. Tom and Sinéad first welcomed son Henry in October 2020 and also share twin daughter's Darla and Roma, who were born in June 2023. He regularly shares snaps of his family life on Instagram featuring his wife and two children. Earlier this week, he posted a sweet snap of his family of five as they took a trip to Blenheim Palace where he shared a photo of his clan and wrote on the Instagram share: "We had the most beautiful afternoon walking around the amazing Blenheim Palace. The architecture is simply stunning and the history was incredible. Kids absolutely loved it too. Great family day out. Bosh". Sinéad responded with a gushing comment which read: "Making memories with our little family is my favourite". As well as sharing snaps from family days out, he also gives fans a glimpse inside his home as she shared a video of himself prepping his Sunday roast dinner earlier this month. He wrote in the caption: "Happy Sunday you lovely people. My favourite day of the week and it's a Skinner tradition. A big old roast dinner, and look at this stunning bit of sirloin beef from me local butcher, all me veg from the local farm shop and we are gonna feast on this, going to enjoy a nice can of thatchers whilst I cook. Sending love to you are yours. Have a wonderful one. Bosh". Tom previously revealed his motivation for 'working so hard' as he shared photos of his family at Christmas time. He wrote in a tweet: "This is why i work so hard. I'm so lucky to have 3 beautiful children, Henry, Darla & Roma! I love them so much. I will give them everything in life and will teach them manors, respect, kindness and love. My little ones will learn that anything you dream in life can be achieved with hard work and persistence. My wonderful wife Sinéad & I are double proud parents. Bosh". The Apprentice "I always think back to where I was in my life many years ago; Selling knocked off goods, sleeping on a fold out bed on the floor downstairs and driving a clapped out £500 van," Skinner once told The Sun as he discussed his rise to fame. The star was thrust into the spotlight when he appeared on The Apprentice in 2019, lasting all the way to the quarter-finals. At the time, he was the owner of The Fluffy Pillow Company, which sold beds, mattresses and memory foam pillows of his design. He applied to the show after his girlfriend of the time convinced him to but was fired by Lord Alan Sugar in week nine.
