Former contestant Thomas Skinner found himself at the centre of a surprising Strictly Come Dancing moment during the 2025 final, mere hours after he publicly alleged potential irregularities in the show's public vote.
The Bombshell Allegation
In a dramatic statement released earlier on Saturday, 20th December, Skinner revealed he would not be attending the grand final due to a 'prior commitment' cited by the BBC. However, he used the statement to make a serious claim. Skinner alleged that on the night he was eliminated from the competition in the second week, he received an anonymous email purporting to be from a BBC executive.
The email reportedly contained statistics suggesting Skinner had received far more viewer votes than was apparent, leading him to question the fairness of his exit. The businessman and television personality stated he had since had the correspondence independently verified. He stressed he was not making the claims out of bitterness, nor suggesting he should have won, but emphasised his belief in 'fairness and respect'.
An Unexpected Nod During the Final
In a twist that captivated viewers, Skinner's time on the show was not entirely erased from the final broadcast. Despite the very public dispute unfolding off-screen, the programme included a special round-up of memorable performances from the series, which featured Skinner's first routine with his professional partner, Amy Dowden.
This mention came as a shock to many, given the timing of his allegations. Skinner had confirmed in his statement that he had spoken with Dowden to ensure she was comfortable with his absence from the final, describing her as a 'good person and a good friend now'.
The Fallout and Reaction
The situation has ignited a fierce debate among fans and media commentators regarding the integrity of reality show voting systems. Skinner's statement explicitly addressed reports that he was considering legal action against the BBC for 'rigging voting', claims which he neither fully confirmed nor denied in his public remarks.
He reiterated his original motivation for joining the show, stating he was 'buzzing' to learn something completely outside his comfort zone, despite his self-professed lack of dancing ability. The controversy raises significant questions about transparency in public-vote television and has cast a shadow over what is typically Strictly's most celebratory night.
The BBC has yet to issue a formal response to Skinner's specific allegations about the anonymous email and the voting data it supposedly contained. The broadcaster's only official comment so far has been to attribute his absence from the final to a scheduling conflict.
