Former Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner is reportedly suing the BBC over claims the voting was rigged to eliminate him in week one
22:53, 18 Dec 2025
Strictly star Tom Skinner is reportedly suing the BBC(Image: PA)
Former Strictly contestant Thomas Skinner is reportedly suing the BBC over claims the voting was rigged to eliminate him early on.
The reality television personality is said to be pursuing legal action against the corporation for allegedly manipulating the dance competition’s voting system. According to reports, he claims to possess evidence of deliberate interference designed to boot him out at the earliest opportunity.
The Apprentice star and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, were given the boot at the start of the series.
The programme combined judges’ scores from the opening fortnight with public voting results, reports the Mirror.
Though the BBC has never disclosed precise public vote tallies for individual contestants, Skinner allegedly believes he can demonstrate they intentionally understated his support.
Skinner and Amy Dowden were booted off at the first opportunity(Image: BBC)
Sources claim he’s now channelling Donald Trump by launching legal proceedings against the broadcaster.
An insider told The Sun: “Thomas is adamant he got a larger share of the public vote and believes he has the evidence to prove it. He is determined to see it through, but there’s no way the BBC will take this sensational claim lying down.”
They continued: “They’ll robustly defend any kinds of claims that the voting was rigged or fixed.”
When approached for comment regarding these accusations, a BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: “Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is robust and independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy.”
Skinner was a controversial selection and admitted to cheating on his wife in the run-up to the show(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Insiders at the corporation have confirmed to the Mirror that no legal complaint or paperwork has been received in relation to this matter.
The Sun’s source also revealed that despite Thomas being reportedly asked to return for the final this weekend, there was no chance he’d accept the invitation.
They alleged he has been “locked in rows with bosses ever since he was sent home”. “He’s convinced the BBC was hell-bent on getting him out as soon as possible – no matter how many of his fans got behind him,” they added.
Despite these claims, it’s reported that Thomas’s absence this weekend is simply due to a prior commitment. Amy, however, will be back to strut her stuff with her fellow ballroom stars.
