Former The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has been pictured beaming alongside a brand new luxury car, in a stark contrast to the ongoing controversy surrounding his claims about BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. The 34-year-old, who was the first contestant eliminated from the show's 23rd series, shared images of his Bentley Bentayga Speed on Instagram, calling it an "absolute beast".
Luxury Purchase Amidst Public Woes
Skinner enthusiastically told his followers that the high-performance vehicle would make the school run "a little bit quicker" for his three children. The social media post, thanking a dealer in Chelmsford, presented a cheerful front, stating: "We keep on grafting. Is it time to the pub yet? Bosh❤️."
This display of high spirits comes after a difficult period for the reality TV personality. His time on Strictly with professional partner Amy Dowden was short-lived, scoring just 29 out of 80 before being eliminated. Since then, he has been embroiled in a very public dispute with the BBC and faced significant personal scrutiny.
The Strictly Voting Controversy Unravels
Skinner had previously claimed he received an anonymous email containing evidence that BBC bosses rigged the official Strictly voting figures to ensure his early exit. He stated he had sought legal advice over the matter. However, these claims appear to have been severely undermined by an independent exit poll.
The poll, conducted by website Strictly Spoiler with 125,000 viewers, placed Skinner's public support at a mere 1.4%, equating to just 1,805 votes. A source told The Mirror this was "clear evidence of his unpopularity" and that "there is no conspiracy."
Both the BBC and PromoVeritas – the independent company that verifies the Strictly vote – have robustly denied any wrongdoing. A BBC spokesperson said any claims the vote was not accurate were "entirely without foundation," noting Skinner had not shared the alleged email with them.
A Cascade of Professional and Personal Setbacks
The voting row is not Skinner's only recent setback. In December, it was reported he had parted ways with his management agency, Insanity. This followed a series of controversies, including backlash over his outspoken right-wing views and his confession to cheating on his wife, Sinead, shortly after their wedding.
In a since-deleted statement, Skinner expressed deep regret about joining the dance show, saying, "I really regret doing Strictly Come Dancing... I wish I'd never done it." He cited "constant abuse" and negative attention, stating the only positive was his friendship with Amy Dowden. He insisted he left the BBC "on good terms" and was not seeking further conflict.
The legal threat against the corporation also draws a parallel with a separate £7.5 billion lawsuit filed against the BBC by Donald Trump, as noted by a source speaking to The Sun. Skinner, a friend of US Vice President JD Vance, remains adamant he received a larger share of the public vote than reported.
As Thomas Skinner enjoys his new Bentley, the storm surrounding his brief Strictly stint and its aftermath shows little sign of abating, leaving his claims of a voting conspiracy looking increasingly isolated against the weight of independent data and corporate denials.
