'I'm an Apprentice superfan - this is why Thomas Skinner should not be on Strictly'

Strictly is back. The seemingly never-ending show is back this Saturday, and as the sequins, sparkle, and samba take over our TV screens, there's one thing that I secretly wish for this year-no scandals. But over the last few years, it's basically been the show's extra dancer. Last year, the BBC dance competition was filled with drama, but for all the wrong reasons. Now, before the new series has even started, Strictly has already had its first casualty of 2025. That casualty is Thomas Skinner, not Kristian Nairn, dropping out of the show. Skinner is known for being a former Apprentice candidate and has built quite a following on social media, but his inclusion in the line-up has already provided plenty of gossip.

Only a few days ago, the businessman made headlines with a candid confession about cheating on his wife. Not to mention, he also left a few journalists hanging when he exited a recent press conference early. It's not a good look so far.

Now, he's complaining that critics are trying to cancel him before the show has even started. To me, this looks like the consequences of your own actions.

Strictly Come Dancing has been a Saturday evening staple on our screens since 2004, but I have never seen this level of drama from a contestant before a series launch. Frankly, the BBC has let itself down and should never have called him up.

I watched Thomas on The Apprentice, and back then, the Essex lad fit the bill as the perfect media personality to annoy viewers. He was funny, cheeky, and a bit irritating, but he worked hard to get a spot on that show. I was laughing at his jokes and banter so much that I was even rooting for him to be Sir Alan Sugar's next business partner.

Despite not winning, he quickly became a social media legend with his catchphrase "Bosh" and posting videos of his beloved breakfasts at Dino's Café. I was delighted for him until now.

The biggest sting is that his cheerful, happy family man persona has now been shattered. Meanwhile, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is doing Strictly to inspire his children. This is the kind of motivation I'd expect from a contestant to sign up.

Putting yourself in an extremely vulnerable position in front of millions of viewers is no walk in the park. Lord knows why the BBC thought it was a good idea to get Thomas on the show, but it has spectacularly backfired.

I don't know-maybe Strictly Come Dancing struggled to gather the talent for this year's series. But is it one of the hottest anticipated TV events of the year? So I am staggered. Best of luck to him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's one of the first contestants packing.