Thomas Skinner was the first celebrity to be eliminated (Image: BBC / Ray Burmiston)

Thomas Skinner became the first contestant to leave this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing. The former Apprentice candidate and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, were sent home by the judges during Sunday’s results show. Thomas and Amy performed a salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers, but it wasn’t enough to impress judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood as all three opted to save Chris Robshaw. Despite being the first to leave, Thomas said that he had “great fun” and labelled Amy a “different class.” However, one former Strictly pro dancer has spoken out after Skinner’s exit and didn’t hold back on his opinion of their routine.

James Jordan, who appeared on Strictly from 2006 until 2013, spoke exclusively with Express Online on behalf of Freebets.com and shared his thoughts when asked about whether Thomas was the right person to be sent home.

Thomas and Amy were not saved by the judges after the dance off (Image: BBC)

“I mean, I’m not necessarily saying it was a stitch-up, but he wasn’t given a very good song,” said James. “They know the demographic that are watching Strictly. It’s generally an older audience. I don’t even know what the song was, but it was one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard.”

He added: “I just thought the whole thing was a bit naff really, and I felt sorry for him because if he’d had a nice beautiful waltz or something, he probably would have gone through.”

When asked whether he felt sorry for Amy Dowden, he replied: “It’s really difficult, isn’t it? I feel horrendous for her that she’s had cancer, but when they’re partnering them up, they’re partnering them up to see who they think is gonna match the best, that’s the problem.

“Amy is absolutely lovely. But when it comes to maybe dancing style, ability, or choreographing, maybe there’s perhaps better in the show, so they’ve got the better celebrities, possibly, I don’t know.

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“But of course, for anyone to go out as a pro when you do the show, you want to stay in as long as possible, but having the best dancer isn’t always necessarily make your series the most enjoyable.”

Earlier last week, fans suggested that Thomas had been “set up to fail” after being assigned the challenging Salsa. One viewer commented on X: “The song for Skinner… Oh, they want him out bad,” while another posted: “Oh Thomas is being set up for a fall.”

After the pair were voted off, Amy – who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 – expressed regret that she never got to perform a ballroom dance with her celebrity partner.

The 35-year-old dancer said: “We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything.”