THOMAS Skinner has been branded an ‘absolute idiot’ for signing up to Strictly Come Dancing – with a former star revealing the truth behind what celebs are paid.
The Apprentice star, 34, was the first person eliminated from this year’s edition of the BBC show following his bombshell interview with The Sun in which he confessed to cheating on his wife.
He was partnered with Amy Dowden, but the pair bowed out after a dance off against Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova.
Former Strictly contestant Vanessa Feltz has now weighed in on Thomas’ early exit.
TV presenter and journalist Vanessa, 63, took part in Strictly Come Dancing back in 2013.
Speaking on behalf of Betano, she said of Thomas: “I think he was an absolute, look, if he didn’t want it to be exposed, he was an absolute idiot to do Strictly because you know that if you do Strictly, every single thing that anyone can dredge up about you gets dredged up.
“Strictly in general, I mean, unless you’re a huge A-list Hollywood film star, Strictly is the biggest thing you will ever do in your career.
“Whether you take it seriously, whether you’re a good dancer or not, whether you’re a dancer, whether you’re only doing the exposure, whether you’re only doing, you know, whatever the reason you were doing it.
“It’s the biggest thing, you know, it’s about 14 million people watching time.”
Since his elimination, Thomas has addressed his decision to sign up for Strictly.
He posted on X: “I wish I had never done Strictly. I never fitted the bill for that show let’s be honest and it’s caused me nothing but agg and constant abuse.
“All I f***ing do is try to spread positivity online.”
He also said: “I can’t do anything right now without someone criticising me or making me do something against my will.
“I can’t walk anywhere without people knowing who I am. I’ve had a narrative spun against me so people always have an opinion on me now that they didn’t three months ago.
“I’ve heard so many lies said and told about me. It’s driving me mad. I’ve had a constant pile on of abuse over the last month like I’m a mass murderer. It’s bull****.”
Thomas also disclosed how much he was being paid for Strictly.
He told The Times in a new interview that he’s being paid £10k to take part on the show.
“I’m getting ten grand for Strictly but seriously, I’d do it for a tenner,” Thomas said.
But Thomas’ BBC PR later told the publication that this “should not be taken as his full fee”.
Meanwhile, Vanessa addressed how much participating celebrities are paid for joining Strictly.
She revealed: “When I did it, it was Favoured Nations. You know what Favoured Nations is? Oh, famous or infamous, surely.
“The whole point about Strictly is it’s Favoured Nations and everyone gets the same. There are no negotiations.
“Because Strictly, unlike most things, you can’t sort of phone them and say, hey, I want to do it. They ask you. It’s meant to be sort of like a favour to you.
“You get this nominal Favoured Nations fee and that everyone gets the same.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
