BBC insiders reckon the public will look after the controversial bedding boss, despite his long moans on social media about how badly he’s being treated

Outspoken Thomas Skinner has caused a huge problem at Strictly Come Dancing

BBC bosses have been left frustrated over Thomas Skinner’s Twitter rants, admitting they cannot control how the contestant behaves on social media. But insiders believe he will not be leaving the competition early, because the public traditionally backs trouble-makers, and because Amy Dowden’s army of loyal fans will support them regardless.

 

One source said: “It’s a tricky one, 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.

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“And because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start, 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.”
 

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Thomas is winding people up with his Twitter rants before he’s even made it to the first live show(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)

The realisation that he could be on the show for the long haul came after the dad-of-three posted a long rant on X after the pre-recorded launch show aired on Saturday night.

Thomas, 35, raged: “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. 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 standin.”

Thomas says he’s hoping to draw votes from fellow West Ham fans plus other “dads with beer bellies”(Image: PA)

He and his pro partner Amy have been training hard in a bid to impress the judges with their dance on the first live show this weekend(Image: INSTAGRAM)

He suggested that despite the criticisms he was receiving on social media, nothing would make him walk away from the BBC1 show. “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.”

And the Essex-based pillow salesman, who has admitted cheating on his wife Sinead with beauty clinic owner Amy-Lucy O’Rourke just two weeks after their wedding, added: “This country is built on good people from all walks of life. Not people that gave up! Whatever battle you’re fightin behind closed doors, don’t give up. Keep pushing. If I can keep goin, so can you. We are strong. We are proud. We never give up. Ever.”

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All the celebs are trying to help each other, but last night Dani Dyer pulled out with a broken foot(Image: PA Media)

Thomas, who found fame on BBC1’s The Apprentice and later appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, claimed that signing for Strictly had already made his life hell. “These last few weeks for me and my family have been horrific – but it only makes us stronger.”

Yesterday former Strictly pro Brendan Cole said Skinner should ignore those trolling him and be thankful that he has been paired with Amy, who has recently recovered from breast cancer.

Speaking to Sky Vegas, Brendan said: “Amy’s been made out to be the sweet ‘Strictly princess’ and pairing her with someone as brash and loud as Tom gives you that yin and yang dynamic,” he explained. “Perhaps the thinking was that it might help him stay in a bit longer. Tom wants to be talked about, he wants to be seen, he wants to create that havoc and energy. Viewers are either going to get behind him and say, ‘He’s great, this is brilliant TV,’ or they’ll go, ‘I can’t stand you, get off my screen.’”