Thomas Skinner, the straight-talking former Apprentice star and social media personality, found himself at the center of Strictly Come Dancing’s first major elimination of the 2025 season. On Sunday, October 5, Skinner became the first celebrity to leave the beloved BBC dance competition, following a dance-off that left both judges and viewers with plenty to talk about. For Skinner, the experience was a whirlwind—brief, yes, but bursting with his signature humor and humility.
Skinner, 34, was paired with professional dancer Amy Dowden, and the duo brought their best to the dance floor with a salsa routine set to 'Bonkers' by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden. But despite their efforts, the performance failed to win over the judges or the public. The pair ended up in the dreaded bottom two alongside former England rugby international Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova. Both couples had to reprise their routines in a tense dance-off that ultimately sealed Skinner’s fate.
As reported by BBC, the judges’ decision was unanimous. Head judge Shirley Ballas, along with Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, all voted to save Robshaw and Bychkova, making Motsi Mabuse’s vote unnecessary—though she later confirmed she would have made the same choice. The verdict was based on a combination of the couples’ marks from weeks one and two, along with public votes. Skinner and Dowden finished with a combined total of 29 points, having managed only 13 for their salsa—one of the lowest scores of the series so far.
The judges didn’t mince words. Craig Revel Horwood, known for his sharp tongue, awarded Skinner a mere two points and quipped, “It looked like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling, it was all just powerlifts.” Skinner, never one to shy away from self-deprecating humor, later joked on Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two, “I do move like a fridge.” He added, “I know I’m not the best dancer, but we had such a laugh out there.”
Despite the disappointment, Skinner’s attitude remained upbeat. “Obviously, I’d have loved to carry on going further, but it’s a dancing competition. I’m lucky to be here—I’m lucky to meet Amy,” he said, reflecting on his experience. “It’s been a great experience. It’s been good fun.” When asked by presenter Janette Manrara to sum up his Strictly journey in just three words, Skinner replied with a smile, “Fun. Funny. Funnier. I don’t know what to say to be honest. I loved it.”
His professional partner Amy Dowden, who has faced her own challenges in recent years, was quick to praise Skinner’s effort and spirit. “I’ve got to know the real Tom and he is adorable. He’s looked after me. 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,” Dowden shared with viewers, according to the Mirror. “I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing. There is a ballroom boy in there, so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the ballroom, but the last three years, as you know, have been quite difficult for me. I lost all confidence as a dancer—but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you.”
Dowden’s praise didn’t stop there. She told the Independent, “I am so impressed. An absolute beginner in terms of the entertainment world. Not an actor, not a performer. The performances you (Skinner) pulled out both Saturdays. I was so glad, and I also saw the development from day one, learning it to getting it on the dancefloor. And he worked so hard, but also we had so much fun. But best of all, who would have thought that Thomas Skinner would fall in love with dancing, including the salsa.”
Skinner’s journey to the Strictly ballroom wasn’t without its share of headlines. Before the series began, he made news after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding, a revelation that surfaced in an interview with The Sun. He also apologized for abruptly leaving a press event for Strictly after picking up a journalist’s phone—incidents that brought him some unwanted attention even before he set foot on the dance floor. Still, Skinner remained focused on the competition and, by all accounts, threw himself into rehearsals with gusto.
“I was second from bottom, weren’t I, and I do move like a fridge, so let’s have it right, I was trying but I weren’t good enough,” Skinner admitted candidly on It Takes Two. He added, “I’m lucky to meet Amy. I’ve got a new friend. My family loves her, and it’s been a great experience, it’s been good fun.” Even while acknowledging his shortcomings as a dancer, Skinner’s gratitude for the opportunity—and for Dowden’s friendship—was unmistakable.
The elimination means that 14 couples remain in the competition, all gearing up for the next themed episode: Movie Week, set to air on Saturday, October 11, on BBC One and iPlayer. Fans can expect a fresh round of glitz, glamour, and, inevitably, more heartbreak as the contest continues. For Skinner, though, the journey may have been short, but it was undeniably sweet. “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy—sorry that we haven’t done too good, 'cause you’re a different class,” he said, summing up his time in the spotlight with characteristic warmth.
As the remaining contestants prepare to dazzle in Movie Week, Skinner’s brief but memorable stint on Strictly Come Dancing serves as a reminder that sometimes, it’s not about winning the glitterball—it’s about the joy of the dance, the friendships forged, and the laughter along the way.
