The Strictly saga shows no sign of letting up for the 2025 series with unhappy pros breaking ranks and two star departures before the live shows even kick off.
The latest news from set suggests frustrated bosses are struggling to rein in the show’s most controversial signing – Apprentice star Thomas Skinner.
Earlier this month Thomas stormed out of a press conference whilst his participation on the BBC‘s family-friendly flagship show has been overshadowed by his relevation that he cheated on wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding.
His political leanings have also sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbeque hosted by US President Donald Trump‘s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.
Thomas has drawn strong criticism for X posts saying it is ‘not far-right’ to be ‘flying your flag and loving your country’, and complaining ‘it ain’t safe out there any more’ in London, saying the city is ‘hostile’ and ‘tense’.
And now, insiders have revealed that Strictly bosses have been left in a ‘tricky’ situation regarding his social media posts.
BBC bosses have been left frustrated over Strictly contestant Thomas Skinner’s social media rants, insiders have revealed
The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early thanks in part to his popular pro partner Amy Dowden
‘He’s not BBC staff so there is nothing that can be done about his social media posts other than ask his management to have a gentle word, and they might not want to,’ the source has explained.
The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early, ‘because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start.’
They added that Strictly’s decision to pair him with one of the show’s favourite pro dancers will be beneficial.
‘The feeling is he’s unlikely to be among the first to go, and could actually stay in for quite a stretch. Amy has a lot of love behind her and that is sure to help him,’ the insider told The Mirror.
After making his Strictly debut on Saturday, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled and claiming his marriage is stronger than ever, after he admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their 2022 wedding.
He shared an impassioned and lengthy message where he claimed he was ‘being attacked’ and was only getting ‘stronger’.
He wrote: ‘Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance…. its gone crazy.
‘Certain people are doing everything they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political.
His political leanings have sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbeque hosted by US President Donald Trump ‘s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event (pictured)
After making his Strictly debut on Saturday, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled
Thomas introduced his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amy to his wife and children on Tuesday as he shared a series of family snaps on Instagram
‘Now I see people are fumin that I’m on Strictly…. and the funny thing is that the majority of them got “be kind” wrote in their bios. You couldn’t make it up.’
Thomas, an Essex businessman who found fame after appearing on Lord Sugar’s The Apprentice, added that his strong work ethic meant he was able to ignore the controversy and ‘graft’.
He added: ‘Let me tell you this. I won’t be cancelled. I ain’t gonna kill myself like some of you want. I’m still here. I’m still standing. Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think. Every insult, every lie, every attack….it don’t break me, it builds me stronger. [sic]
‘I built what I got from nothing. I Slept on a pull-out bed on the floor for years cus I never had a bedroom. [sic] Weirdos write rubbish on Wikipedia about my upbringing that ain’t true, but they can’t take away what I’ve built with graft & fight. They call me a grifter, but all I do is work. Day in, day out, graft.’
Meanwhile in another sticky situation for show bosses, professional dancer Nancy Xu broke ranks on Tuesday and voiced her ‘disappointment’ after being left without a celebrity partner.
The Chinese dancer has confessed that she is upset that the Strictly decision makers have ‘overlooked her hard work and dedication’ since she joined the show in 2019.
On Tuesday night Nancy, 34, spoke directly to her 76,000 followers, where she described her disappointment, breaking ranks from the show’s party line to admit she feels ‘left out.’
Strictly has been hit with more chaos behind the scenes after professional Nancy Xu broke ranks and voiced her ‘disappointment’ after being left without a celebrity partner
‘Thank you so much for all your kind and supportive messages that I’ve been receiving in the past few days,’ Nancy said. ‘I am ok, as you all know now, I don’t have a dance partner, on Strictly Come Dancing this year.’
‘In the very beginning when I just received the messages, it does upset me and I do feel disappointed, coming from China and arriving in this country, all I wanted is to achieve my dream and Strictly has given me such a big platform to allow me to show my skills and to show my talents, so of course this year, I feel, left out,’ she continued.
She insisted that she will remain a part of the show and will be in the studio every weekend to cheer on her fellow pros.
‘I’m good, because I’m still part of the show and this year you’ll probably hear my voice more than ever, because I’ll give all my energies to support all my strictly families.’
She signed off with the BBC show’s catchphrase: ‘Keeeep dancing.’
The candid post was flooded with comments from Nancy’s fans and her Strictly co-stars with fellow pro Vito Coppola writing: ‘You are never alone, we are always together. Thank you for supporting us and for being the rarest friend that everyone would want in their life.’
Amy Dowden added: ‘your are superstar, a beautiful dancer and so loved.’
One fan of the show voiced their frustration that bosses had paired two new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, with partners, but left out veterans like Nancy.
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer, 29, was left ‘heartbroken’ as she had to pull out of the dance competition after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals
‘I could understand if there was too many pros to celebs..that some pros might miss out on partners but to bring two new pros in but leave old pros out is just not on in my books, especially if it wasn’t your decision,’ read the comment.
With an excess of pros, each year Strictly benches some of its professional line up. Alongside Nancy, this year Luba Mushtuk, Neil Jones and Michelle Tsiakkas have all missed out.
Meanwhile Gorka Marquez, who has been dancing on the show since 2016 confirmed ahead of the new series that he wouldn’t be competing this year, as he juggles work as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly with his UK dancer role.
Nancy’s post came hours after one of the 2025 series’ biggest stars was forced to quit after sustaining a serious injury while training.
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer, 29, was left ‘heartbroken’ as she had to pull out of the dance competition after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.
‘To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement’ the Love Island star told fans
Strictly professional Dianne Buswell, who is pregnant with her first child, was seen arriving for rehearsals on Wednesday morning
Dianne’s celeb partner Stefan Dennis followed close behind, ready for another gruelling day in the training room
Her withdrawal adds yet more pressure to Strictly bosses – actor Kristian Nairn quit the series for medical reasons just last month.
The Daily Mail broke the news that Dani, 29, one of the show’s favourites, had to bow out on Tuesday, after fracturing her ankle during a training rehearsal on Friday.
Dani later confirmed this in a statement and said: ‘I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
‘Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable (!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show.
‘To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.’
The accident occurred before Dani even got to perform one routine.