Thomas Skinner caused chaos at the Strictly launch ahead of the show’s debut

Strictly star Thomas Skinner stormed out of the dance competition’s first press event (Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has stormed out of the dance competition’s first press event on Tuesday in front of stunned journalists. Insiders told Express.co.uk that the Apprentice star, 34, only took part in two interviews before exiting the event held at Elstree Studios, leaving organisers furious and BBC bosses in crisis talks over whether he should remain on the show. Thomas was sitting next to former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when he told the table of journalists: “I’m not doing this,” and fled from the event.

He had taken exception to being taped by reporters – which is standard for the launch. One female journalist asked him what had prompted him to take part in Strictly, and at that moment Thomas realised he was being recorded on her phone. He bellowed: “What’s that?” He then grabbed the device off the table, prompting the reporter to snap back: “What are you doing, can you answer the question, we have only got three minutes. I’m just recording him.”

Thomas has rejected claims he is too political for the ballroom (Image: Instagram )
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After a tussle, the journalist retrieved her phone. Thomas walked out as BBC staff hurriedly pulled Jimmy away from the table and scrambled to track down the runaway contestant.

An insider told Express.co.uk: “BBC bosses have been left extremely frustrated by Tom’s behaviour during the roundtables, especially as the pressure is on for a drama-free series.

“They desperately tried to get him back, in the hopes he would calm down, but Tom wouldn’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t set a good tone for the series, and there are even doubts whether he will be able to continue, with BBC staff left embarrassed by his behaviour, and being forced to apologise on his behalf before the series has even begun.”

Crisis meetings are now under way over whether the father-of-three should remain in the competition.

Viewers have already bombarded the BBC with complaints, vowing to boycott the series after Thomas previously posed with Donald Trump’s vice-president JD Vance and branded him a “proper gent”.

Thomas has rejected claims he is too political for the ballroom. Speaking to the Daily Mail last month, he insisted: “I’m not right wing.

“People are like sheep and just started saying it because I got invited to go to a bbq with JD Vance and I posted a picture with him. Who is gonna turn down an opportunity to meet the seconf most powerful man in the world?”

He also addressed the backlash more broadly: “Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you — and that’s okay. I wish them well.

“We’re all different, and not everyone will see life the same way. If their anger or bitterness has to go somewhere, I’d rather they throw it at me than ruin someone else’s day. I can take it.”

Thomas was a shock pick for the Glitterball line-up. Since making his name on the 2019 series of The Apprentice, he has only appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, while building a following with his trademark “Bosh” catchphrase and motivational café videos.