Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner has made explosive allegations that the BBC may have fixed the public vote to ensure his early exit from the hit Saturday night show.
The Anonymous Email Allegation
Skinner, the first celebrity to be voted off the current series in September, claims he received a mysterious email after his elimination. The businessman and former Apprentice star took to social media to state that an "anonymous email claiming to be from a BBC executive" was sent to him. This message allegedly contained statistics showing he had "received far more votes than it appeared" on the night he was ousted from the competition.
He further alleged the email suggested BBC bosses were "angry" and "nervous" about his meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance. Skinner, who has described himself as "non-political", was photographed wearing a 'Make America Great Again' cap and posing with Vance, aligning himself with right-wing figures.
BBC and Verifiers Issue Firm Denials
The BBC has issued a strong rebuttal to Skinner's claims. A corporation spokesperson stated on Saturday: "Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy every week. Any claims to the contrary are entirely without foundation."
The spokesperson also noted that, despite requests, Mr Skinner is yet to share the email he references with anyone from the BBC, leaving them unable to investigate its contents.
PromoVeritas, the independent company that verifies the Strictly public vote, also provided a robust defence of the process. They confirmed: "All votes are independently and comprehensively verified by two auditors. We can confirm that all votes received are validated. This has been the case every week and we have reported no issues."
Additional Grievances and Wider Context
The 34-year-old reality TV personality cited other incidents that contributed to his sense of unfair treatment. He claimed his welcome gift to the show was the only one that "got stolen apparently". The BBC production team responded directly to this, stating: "The Strictly Come Dancing production team categorically did not supply 'welcome gifts' to any of the cast."
Skinner also asserted he had the alleged email's authenticity "independently verified", though he has not disclosed the method used. Reports have emerged that the social media personality is considering legal action against the BBC over his elimination, although The Guardian understands the BBC is not aware of any formal complaint.
Notably, Skinner has announced he will not attend the show's final on Saturday night, where former contestants traditionally return. However, his relationship with the broadcaster continues, as he is set to appear in Celebrity Apprentice on BBC One on 29 and 30 December, and attended the programme's press launch last month.
The controversy erupts as the Strictly final approaches, with Karen Carney, Amber Davies and George Clarke competing for the Glitterball Trophy, in a series now overshadowed by claims questioning the integrity of its iconic public vote.
