Thomas Skinner is reportedly being protected by Tom Holland‘s ex-bodyguard after receiving death threats.
The Essex businessman, 34, who found fame after appearing on Lord Sugar‘s The Apprentice, has become the most controversial signing on Strictly this year, with his appearance being overshadowed by his revelation that he cheated on wife Sinead.
Thomas confessed to Daily Mail’s Katie Hind this week that the cheating scandal has been ‘awful for my poor wife to read it all’ as he came clean on the affair.
Now, Thomas has hired Burly Daniel Gilbert to protect him amid the backlash and keep a close eye.
In pictures obtained by The Sun, former Royal Marine Burly was with Thomas and his pro Strictly partner Amy Dowden at Kempton Park Racecourse on Thursday as the pair filmed a market stall clip.
Burly was seen with the British Spiderman actor, 29, last year at a golf tournament in Surrey. He has also worked on Love Island All Stars in South Africa with Maya Jama.
Thomas Skinner, 34, is reportedly being protected by Tom Holland’s ex-bodyguard after receiving death threats (Seen with Strictly partner Amy Dowden on Saturday)
Thomas has hired Burly Daniel Gilbert (right) to protect him amid the backlash and keep a close eye (pictured with the Spiderman actor last year)
An insider said: ‘He’s one of the best in the industry. He’s trained to the best standard and nothing gets past him. Thomas is in safe hands.’
Daily Mail has contacted Thomas’ representatives for comment.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘While we wouldn’t comment on specific security matters, there have been no changes to existing protocols based on a specific cast member.’
The controversial star put on a brave face as he hit the dance floor with Amy on Saturday night, with his wife Sinead no where in sight to support.
Thomas, who performed the Paso Doble and received 16 points from the judges, said: ‘I was scared at the start, Amy has been a great teacher. She’s fantastic.’
Critics on X branded Thomas’ performance ‘the worst’, while other fans felt Thomas ‘did well’ considering it was a ‘difficult’ dance for a beginner like himself.
His political leanings have also sparked backlash across social media after he was pictured attending a barbecue hosted by US President Donald Trump‘s number two, JD Vance – something he later called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.
Thomas has drawn strong criticism for X posts saying it is ‘not far-right’ to be ‘flying your flag and loving your country’, and complaining ‘it ain’t safe out there any more’ in London, saying the city is ‘hostile’ and ‘tense’.
The controversial star put on a brave face as he hit the dance floor with Amy on Saturday night, with his wife Sinead no where in sight to support
After making his Strictly debut, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled amid death threats
Thomas introduced his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amy to his wife and children on Tuesday as he shared a series of family snaps on Instagram
Insiders revealed that Strictly bosses have been left in a ‘tricky’ situation regarding his social media posts.
‘He’s not BBC staff so there is nothing that can be done about his social media posts other than ask his management to have a gentle word, and they might not want to,’ the source has explained.
The insider added though that it’s unlikely Thomas will be voted out of the hit BBC show early, ‘because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start.’
They added that Strictly’s decision to pair him with one of the show’s favourite pro dancers will be beneficial.
‘The feeling is he’s unlikely to be among the first to go, and could actually stay in for quite a stretch. Amy has a lot of love behind her and that is sure to help him,’ the insider told The Mirror .
After making his Strictly debut on Saturday, Thomas posted another X rant, insisting he won’t be cancelled and claiming his marriage is stronger than ever, after he admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their 2022 wedding.
He shared an impassioned and lengthy message where he claimed he was ‘being attacked’ and was only getting ‘stronger’.
He wrote: ‘Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance…. its gone crazy.
‘Certain people are doing everything they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political.
‘Now I see people are fumin that I’m on Strictly…. and the funny thing is that the majority of them got ‘be kind’ wrote in their bios. You couldn’t make it up.’
Thomas added that his strong work ethic meant he was able to ignore the controversy and ‘graft’.
He added: ‘Let me tell you this. I won’t be cancelled. I ain’t gonna kill myself like some of you want. I’m still here. I’m still standing.
BBC bosses have been left frustrated over Strictly contestant Thomas’ social media rants, insiders have revealed (pictured with his popular pro partner Amy Dowden)
‘Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think. Every insult, every lie, every attack….it don’t break me, it builds me stronger. [sic]
‘I built what I got from nothing. I Slept on a pull-out bed on the floor for years cus I never had a bedroom. [sic] Weirdos write rubbish on Wikipedia about my upbringing that ain’t true, but they can’t take away what I’ve built with graft & fight. They call me a grifter, but all I do is work. Day in, day out, graft.’
Earlier this month Thomas stormed out of a press conference whilst his participation on the BBC‘s family-friendly flagship show has been overshadowed by his relevation that he cheated on wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding.
While Thomas insisted that the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’ that saw him almost ‘ruin his life’, his ‘secret mistress’ has claimed that the affair was much more serious.
Amy-Lucy O’Rourke suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months, during which time he said he was in love with her and unhappy with Sinéad.
Thomas originally told the Sun on Sunday that he had a ‘fling’ with ‘attractive’ single mum Amy-Lucy, who gave him a free cosmetic treatment after they met in a pub.
However, separate sources have since claimed the affair – which took place three and a half years ago – lasted for as long as three months.
But Thomas insisted that Sinead has forgiven him for the indiscretion and they have moved on.
