Thomas Skinner Accuses BBC of Rigging Strictly Come Dancing Vote
Published 20 December 2025
Highlights
- Thomas Skinner alleges the BBC rigged the Strictly Come Dancing vote that led to his elimination.
- Skinner claims to have received an anonymous email from a supposed BBC executive with voting stats.
- The BBC and PromoVeritas deny the allegations, stating the vote is independently verified.
- Skinner plans to sue the BBC, though the broadcaster is unaware of any legal complaint.
- Skinner will not attend the Strictly final, citing the controversy as the reason for his absence.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Thomas Skinner Accuses BBC of Rigging Strictly Come Dancing Vote
Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner has stirred controversy by alleging that the BBC manipulated the voting process that led to his early exit from the popular dance competition. Skinner, known for his appearances on The Apprentice and various other TV shows, claimed on social media that he received an anonymous email purportedly from a BBC executive. The email allegedly contained statistics indicating that Skinner had garnered more votes than were officially reported.
The businessman and social media personality, who was the first celebrity to be voted off this year's series, stated that the email also suggested the BBC was uneasy about his meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance. Despite these claims, the BBC has firmly denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the broadcaster emphasized that "Strictly Come Dancing's public vote is independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy." PromoVeritas, the company responsible for verifying the show's votes, confirmed that all votes are validated and independently audited.
Skinner, who has been criticized for his political associations, including wearing a Make America Great Again cap, insists he is not politically motivated. He announced he would not attend the upcoming Strictly final, explaining that he wanted to clarify his absence publicly. "I don't want people thinking I am bitter when I ain't," he wrote in a post on X.
The BBC has requested to see the email Skinner references, but he has yet to provide it. The broadcaster also refuted claims about welcome gifts, stating that no such items were distributed to the cast. Despite the controversy, Skinner is set to appear on Celebrity Apprentice later this year.
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Scenario Analysis
The allegations made by Thomas Skinner could potentially lead to legal proceedings if he follows through with his plan to sue the BBC. However, without concrete evidence, such as the email he claims to have received, the case may struggle to gain traction. The BBC's firm denial and the independent verification of votes by PromoVeritas add credibility to the broadcaster's stance.
This controversy may also impact Skinner's public image, especially given his recent political associations. If the allegations are proven unfounded, it could damage his reputation further. On the other hand, if any evidence emerges supporting his claims, it could lead to significant scrutiny of the voting processes on reality TV shows, potentially prompting changes to ensure transparency and fairness.
Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner has stirred controversy by alleging that the BBC manipulated the voting process that led to his early exit from the popular dance competition. Skinner, known for his appearances on The Apprentice and various other TV shows, claimed on social media that he received an anonymous email purportedly from a BBC executive. The email allegedly contained statistics indicating that Skinner had garnered more votes than were officially reported.
The businessman and social media personality, who was the first celebrity to be voted off this year's series, stated that the email also suggested the BBC was uneasy about his meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance. Despite these claims, the BBC has firmly denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the broadcaster emphasized that "Strictly Come Dancing's public vote is independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy." PromoVeritas, the company responsible for verifying the show's votes, confirmed that all votes are validated and independently audited.
Skinner, who has been criticized for his political associations, including wearing a Make America Great Again cap, insists he is not politically motivated. He announced he would not attend the upcoming Strictly final, explaining that he wanted to clarify his absence publicly. "I don't want people thinking I am bitter when I ain't," he wrote in a post on X.
The BBC has requested to see the email Skinner references, but he has yet to provide it. The broadcaster also refuted claims about welcome gifts, stating that no such items were distributed to the cast. Despite the controversy, Skinner is set to appear on Celebrity Apprentice later this year.
What this might mean
The allegations made by Thomas Skinner could potentially lead to legal proceedings if he follows through with his plan to sue the BBC. However, without concrete evidence, such as the email he claims to have received, the case may struggle to gain traction. The BBC's firm denial and the independent verification of votes by PromoVeritas add credibility to the broadcaster's stance.
This controversy may also impact Skinner's public image, especially given his recent political associations. If the allegations are proven unfounded, it could damage his reputation further. On the other hand, if any evidence emerges supporting his claims, it could lead to significant scrutiny of the voting processes on reality TV shows, potentially prompting changes to ensure transparency and fairness.
