Apprentice star Thomas Skinner hits back at liberal meltdown over his spot on Strictly as wokerati demand BBC axe him because he met JD Vance

Thomas Skinner has hit back at critics who have demanded the BBC revoke his invite to join Strictly Come Dancing 2025 because he met JD Vance.

Strictly fans have been bombarding the Beeb with complaints – and vowed to boycott the show – because they have chosen him after he met Donald Trump‘s vice-president and called him a ‘proper gent’.

But Thomas is defiant and ‘excited’ to join the show – although he admits that the only time he dances is at weddings.

The Essex market trader and mattress salesman, who first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and is known for his catchphrase ‘bosh’, insists that the left-wing flak is unfair.

He told the Daily Mail today: ‘I’m not right wing. People are like sheep and just started saying it because I got invited to go to bbq with JD Vance and I posted a picture with him.

‘Who is gonna turn down an opportunity to meet the 2nd most powerful man in the world?’, he added. 

And in a message for his critics he said: ‘Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you — and that’s okay. I wish them well. We’re all different, and not everyone will see life the same way. If their anger or bitterness has to go somewhere, I’d rather they throw it at me than ruin someone else’s day. I can take it’.

Mr Skinner is a social media star, posting popular videos of his daily breakfasts from an east London cafe as well as his words of encouragement about the rewards of hard work. 

He has recently been dubbed Britain’s most influential political figure and has been praised for his open love of England.

He has even been tipped to stand to be Mayor of London after a number of tweets to his 411,000 followers criticising Sir Sadiq Khan and the current state of London.

Last weekend he popped up in the Cotswolds after JD Vance invited him to a barbecue and today he was revealed as Strictly’s tenth celebrity contestant.

But while he cannot hide his delight, some Strictly fans are not happy and have been bombarding him and the BBC with vitriol ever since.

Under the BBC’s tweet announcing his participation, there have been a number of angry responses.

One said: ‘Absolutely awful booking. His views don’t align with what strictly should be about. Shame on you BBC’. Another critic wrote: ‘Is he a celebrity? Thought he was just a hateful grifter?’ while a third said: ‘I was already thinking of passing on watching this year as the line up is rubbish, but this seals it. Definitely not watching’.

But Thomas, who posts positive messages for followers on Twitter each day, has dismissed the critics and can’t wait to get started.

‘Life’s too short to scream and shout at each other. Let’s talk, listen, and try to understand. The world doesn’t need more noise, it needs more conversation’, he said.

Since leaving the Apprentice boardroom, he has become a social media star – recently shocking fans when it was revealed he’d formed an unlikely friendship with JD Vance. 

On being a part of Strictly, Thomas said in a statement: ‘I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping on to the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!

‘I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and, most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’

Earlier in the day, Thomas has hinted at his new gig as he shared a snap of his breakfast from Dino’s Cafe, which he visits at around 5.30am each day.

The reality star famously posts snaps of his bizarre breakfast feasts at Dino’s cafe, and on Thursday he showed off his meal of pie and chips with beans and alphabet potatoes. 

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot that he’d spelled out Strictly in his potatoes.  

Thomas’ unlikely friendship with JD began on X and resulted in him receiving an invite to join the politician at his Cotswolds holiday residence for a barbecue where other guests included Cambridge academic James Orr and Conservative MP Danny Kruger.

News of his new Strictly gig comes a day after trailblazing model and influencer Ellie Goldstein, Drag Race star La Voix and rugby player Chris Robshaw were confirmed as the seventh, eighth and ninth contestants for the new series of Strictly. 

The three celebrities confirmed their participation in an announcement shared on Wednesday’s edition of The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.

Ellie is a model, actress and influencer who became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue.

Additionally she has featured in campaigns for Gucci, Adidas and Victoria’s Secret, while maintaining an ambassadorship for the learning disability charity Mencap.  

She said: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year. 

‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream.

‘I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey begin!’

When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would ‘never walk or talk’, and one nurse devastatingly suggested that her parents Yvonne and Mark might want to ‘leave her’ at the hospital. 

But she has defied all expectations since her birth in December 2001, making history as the first model with Down’s syndrome to feature in major international campaigns. 

Her mother, Yvonne, previously told how Ellie wanted to be famous from the age of two and her ‘outgoing’ and ‘bubbly’ personality has helped her achieve all her dreams.

Ellie has been flown to Sweden, Italy and Germany for photoshoots, and strutted her stuff on the catwalk at London Fashion Week.

Ellie was also the first model with Down’s syndrome to ever appear in a campaign for Gucci and has become a very sought-after name in the fashion industry.

She graced the cover of Glamour UK at the age of 18 in an edition which honoured the new faces shaking up fashion and proving it can be inclusive.

Ellie was also involved in helping Mattel to launch its first ever Barbie with Down syndrome and helped to promote the doll after its release.

Joining Ellie on the Strictly line-up, La Voix said in a statement: ‘I’ve performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV.

‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’ 

Chris admitted he was stepping well out of his ‘comfort zone’ by signing up for the show.

He commented: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class.

‘Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.’

The announcement comes after George Clarke was named as the sixth celebrity contestant to take part in the show. 

The YouTuber and podcaster will enter the famous ballroom when Strictly returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. 

George Clarke, also known as George Clarkey, is a British YouTuber, podcaster and social media star known to millions online. 

Born and raised in the UK, George began experimenting with video content as a teenager, quickly discovering the power of humour and honesty to connect with people around the world. 

Since then he has built a thriving digital career with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, drawn to his authenticity and sharp comedic voice.

He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has proven so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, George said: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’

The news was revealed on BBC Radio 1’s Going Home Drivetime Show this afternoon. 

George has built up a huge following on TikTok with an impressive 152million fans and has 679 thousand on Instagram.

He is also often seen teaming up with TikToker Max Balegde as the pair host their podcast together.  

Hours before, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal was announced as the fifth contestant to join Strictly 2025 line-up.

The actress, 46, who plays Suki Panesar on the BBC soap, was revealed as a cast member live on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning.  

Balvinder will join a Love Island winner, Doctor Who star and a footballing legend, all of whom were recently revealed as the latest three stars confirmed to take part in Strictly.

Sharing her joy at being part of the show, Balvinder said: ‘Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. 

‘Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’

Meanwhile the actress, who was speaking to GMB’s Richard Arnold from the EastEnders set, told how she had ‘dabbled’ in dancing in the past but is unsure is she’d actually be ‘any good’ once on the dancefloor. 

She explained: ‘I can’t stop butterflies. Every time I think about it, they just go, so, yeah.

‘I dabbled a little bit. I did ballroom and Latin as a kind of hobby, and I really love it. And I think when you’ve got a passion for something, you’re naturally kind of inclined to enjoy it.

‘So I’ll definitely enjoy it. I don’t know if I’ll be any good!’

Balvinder, who has had a successful acting career spanning theatre, radio, film and television, first joined EastEnders back in 2019.

During her six years in Walford, she has been part of a number of gripping storylines including Suki’s affair with now-wife Eve Unwin, being part of ‘The Six’ and her turbulent relationship with villainous husband Nish. 

Prior to stepping foot on Albert Square, Balvinder made appearances in several huge dramas including Call The Midwife, Doctors and Waterloo Road. 

Meanwhile, former Love Island winner Dani Dyer, 29, actress Alex Kingston, 62, and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, will also take to the dance floor this year, The One Show announced on Monday night.

They follow Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who was the first star announced. 

The daughter of acting legend Danny Dyer, who wed husband Jarrod Bowen this year, shot to fame in 2018 on the ITV2 dating show when she bagged the £50,000 prize with Jack Fincham.

Dani said: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! 

‘I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’

Doctor Who’s Alex notably appeared in US drama ER from 1997 to 2005 alongside George Clooney.

She also took on a recurring role in Doctor Who, playing River Song – the love interest of Matt Smith’s incarnation of the Doctor and the daughter of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill).

Alex briefly reprised her role during Peter Capaldi’s stint on the BBC sci-fi show and has also leant her voice to a number of audio releases in the franchise.

Alex has previously spoken about her desire to sign up for Strictly, revealing she and her close friend Sarah Hadland – who competed last year – had discussed it.

‘Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we’d like to do Strictly Come Dancing,’ she said in 2019.

‘Then I discovered she’s a trained ballet dancer. ‘Hang on a minute! That’s not fair!’ So, I can’t do it on a season when she is on it!’

Speaking to hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Scott about her upcoming stint, the actress teased: ‘My hips don’t lie.’

Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex England coach said he’s looking forward to the challenge.

He said: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge!

‘Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’

The father-of-four was a professional player with Leeds and Middlebrough for two decades before he retied in 2008. 

Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his alter-ego Nitro, was the first celebrity revealed to taking part in the new series, after competing on the Christmas Special last year.

His involvement was revealed in a prank to CBBC Newsround viewers, after the BBC had previously said the first stars taking part would be revealed much later in the day.

Flexing his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Aikines-Aryeetey, 36, appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as ‘world-famous choreographer Nicky Trott’, there to talk about his recent work on a scientific study into the benefits of dancing.

His disguise was not enough to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence though, who quickly rumbled who she was really talking to. 

Aikines-Aryeetey then gave the real reason he was there: to tell the world he’s taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing!

Aikines-Aryeetey is an Olympian, multi-gold-medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. 

As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. 

Aikines-Aryeetey has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. 

He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion.

In 2023, Aikines-Aryeetey was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Aikines-Aryeetey said: ‘After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I’m ready to give it all I’ve got. 

‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’

On Sunday it was reported that Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem are ‘in negotiations’ to take part in the show. 

A new report suggested the two Australian stars are both in talks to appear while another former Neighbours star – Stefan Dennis – is also said to be in the running. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show.

‘Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year’s most eagerly anticipated competitors.

‘If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.’

Strictly’s new series has been hit by a string of scandals in the lead-up to its return, including revelations that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals.

One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath.

The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker.

The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year’s show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours.

Over the weekend, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show’s stars.

He told The Sun: ‘The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there’.

He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, an unfazed senior producer told him to ‘leave it on my desk’ as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. 

The staff member also said the show’s annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially ‘big party night’ full of debauchery. 

‘I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes’. 

A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: ‘We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’

The shock allegations come amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so.

In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing ‘personal reasons’, actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of ‘unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour’ during their time dancing together on Strictly .

Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld.

When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni’s behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment.

Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was ‘pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour‘.

Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January.

He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a ‘wandering hand’ incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show.

After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show.

The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly.

Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation.

While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have ‘absolutely no recollection’ of.

In separate further controversy, it’s recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague.

The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed ‘under review’ while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports.

A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her ‘hard’ and ‘bullying’ behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.