Thomas Skinner has insisted that he is “trying” and “loving every second” of his Strictly Come Dancing experience following a rather brutal reception to his and Amy Dowden’s Week Two Salsa.
Ahead of the first public vote of the series, the Apprentice star and his pro partner took on a lift-laden routine to the sound of Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers.
Their Paso Doble from Week One had earned them a respectable score of 16 from the judges, but in Week Two, Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse weren’t feeling quite as generous.
“It was all just power lifts,” Mr Revel Horwood began, following the routine. “The timing was completely off at the beginning as well.
BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner take on the Salsa
“I could see every lift being prepped and entered and taken out of. It lacked any real hip rotation at all or any fluidity. But you have proved, darling, that you have the strength of an ox.”
Ms Mabuse then weighed in to try and lift the mood: “Yes, Tom. I love the gusto! You went for it! I mean, you’re in silver pants, there’s glitter, and you stood there like, ‘This is it!’ It was interesting.”
Soon after, Ms Ballas provided some constructive feedback: “Well, you gave it a go. You came out with the personality, and your family at home will be so proud of you because you enjoyed every minute of that.
“But I have to go with Craig. In Salsa, you have to go with a lot more moves, and you’ve proved that in everything you can do the lifts, and that’s a bonus, but now we’ve got to start the Latin, to rotate the hips a little bit, be a bit more coordinated with the upper half of the body. A little bit more foot loosage, not too much, and you’ll be on your way.”
BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner didn’t get the feedback they’d hoped for
And Mr Du Beke couldn’t resist a joke: “Well, they say all that, but I’ve tried all that to varying levels of success, I think it’s all overrated.
“I thought it was a good effort, you did not show any nerves, you ploughed on, you gave it some and I thought it was a really good effort.”
Mr Skinner remained all smiles throughout the rather brutal dressing down, but received some consolation when presenter Tess Daly commented it was “probably the bravest lifts we’ve seen in Week Two”.
When it came to the scores, Mr Skinner and Ms Dowden ended up with a two from Mr Revel Horwood, a three from Ms Mabuse, and scores of four apiece from Ms Ballas and Mr Du Beke.
BBC Strictly: Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner’s scores landed them bottom of the Week Two leaderboard
| BBC
The score of 13 meant he finished bottom of the Week Two leaderboard, but combined with his Week One score of 16, he ended on 29 and four marks ahead of Lorraine reporter Ross King.
Mr Skinner took the criticism in his stride, returning to social media minutes after his routine to defiantly say: “LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THAT!! I know I ain’t the best dancer. But I’m trying. And Amy has been amazing!!
“Enjoying the rest of the dancers! They’re all amazing. And if you want to see me next week. Please vote for me & Amy. Love you all. Bosh.” (sic)
Unfortunately for Mr Skinner, however, his critics weren’t quite as enthusiastic. Trolls flooded social media with their harsh criticism, with some on Instagram calling it the “worst dance in Strictly history” and “a car crash”.
But what followed were several of Mr Skinner’s hitting back at the criticism and even claiming the judges may have an ulterior motive for their scores.
On Instagram, one fan claimed: “I don’t think he is as awful as the judges are marking him…they are determined for him to get into the bottom 2 and go home first! He’s not really been given a fair chance, which isn’t what Strictly is about!”
A second Instagram user also suggested something was amiss: “The choice of the music was a total misunderstanding… bonkers,” they added.
The eyebrows continued to be raised over on X, with a third viewer arguing: “Stupid f***ing music choice for a Salsa. C**p music sets people up to fail. Unfair of the producers! #Strictly.”
BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner fans felt the star had been treated unfairly
Meanwhile, another X user urged: “Some fairly nasty comments on here tonight regarding Thomas Skinner, give the guy a chance, he’s trying his best. #Strictly.”
And back on Instagram, the praise and encouragement continued. “Give him a chance, it’s only week 2,” another Strictly fan shared.
BBC Strictly: Thomas Skinner’s routine had lifts aplenty
| BBC
“Not helped by the song,” echoed a further Instagram user before another praised: “Give him a break @iamtomskinner that is my favourite song and one of the best dances of the night so far minus @aikines. SUPER Undermarked.” (sic)
Fans will have to tune in to Sunday’s results show to discover whether or not Mr Skinner has done enough for the public to send him to Week Three.
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