Tom Skinner, a businessman and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has stated in a statement that he won’t participate in tonight’s live final despite claims he received anonymous allegations of voting irregularities.
Thomas Skinner, has broken his silence after it was reported he would be ‘suing the BBC for rigging voting’ following his early exit from the show.
Taking to X, confirming he would not be at the Strictly final tonight after being the first celebrity to leave the show this season. He also responded to claims he is seeking legal advice over the show’s voting figures – revealing he was advised to do so by a team at the BBC to do so. Meanwhile, he also took aim at ‘coincidental’ exits that have taken place following him seeking legal advise.
The full bombshell statement reads: “As most of you will have seen in the papers, I won’t be at the final of Strictly Come Dancing tonight.”
“This is what I want to say first,” I spoke with Amy Dowden, my lovely dance partner, to make sure she understood that I wouldn’t be there. I would never let her down because she is now both a good person and friend.
“When I was given the chance to perform Strictly back in April, I was buzzing.” Not because I can dance, but… I can’t. But because I wanted to test myself and discover something completely out of my comfort zone.
“I received an email from an unidentified BBC executive claiming to have received more votes than it appeared and that it wasn’t accurate the night I left the show.” Since then, the email has been independently verified.
“That same email mentioned the BBC was very angry an nervous simply because I had met JD Vance (USA VICE PRESIDENT). Let me be clear, I’m not a political bloke. Never have been. I just love my country and am patriotic. I’ve been made out by the press to be this political figure. If anyone was to get an opportunity like what I did, they would have taken it. I still think it is mad that a man like me who sells mattresses out of a van can call someone that senior in the world ’s politics a friend now.”
“I’ve requested the official voting figures to refute the information I received in the email, but I was informed that they couldn’t be shown to me.” and have never been shown before. I’ve discussed the email I received from senior staff members and the BBC welfare team, both of whom I genuinely respect. And because of how unfair everything was, they were the ones who advised me to seek legal counsel. (This was not my intention)
“There were also some smaller things that made the feeling stronger. On the show, everyone received a welcome gift, including face masks and skincare products. The only person who appeared to have “got stolen” was mine. It’s nothing on its own. but when it was combined with everything else, it suddenly seemed strange.”
Because I participated in this show, I was made to appear to be someone else who was actually not. The opinions were derived from media reports over the summer that were simply false or exaggerated. What has happened to my family and me isn’t fair.
“I also want to say this judiciously. A very senior BBC official has since resigned after receiving this information and having it verified. Although it didn’t have anything to do with me, it did feel strange. The main hosts also resigned the following week. Again, I don’t want to sound off about it. All of it is purely coincidental. Being truthful is all I’m saying.
“I also didn’t want any of this to appear in the press.” Over the past few months, I’ve found it difficult to accept that much of what has been said has been exaggerated or untrue about me. If I’m honest, it’s not nice what has been said about me because this is my life. What I find odd is that this was national news by Thursday morning after a private Zoom call with BBC executives on Wednesday night about moving forward. That indicates that there has been a leak. because I don’t get it from the press. (It might be from the sender of the email) ….. I opposed making this news national news; rather, I opposed making any of it. I don’t want people to think I’m bitter when I don’t, but I’m writing a statement now to let people know the truth about why I’m not coming. I object to the publication of more untrue stories.
“I’m not kicking off for attention. I’m not saying I should’ve won either. I was rubbish at dancing we all know that. But love me or hate me you do have to appreciate the massive following I have, I can’t even walk into the local Tesco without getting stopped for selfies. I just believe in fairness and respect.”
“I wish each and every dancer the best tonight. They deserve their moment because they have worked their socks off. He concluded the statement by saying, “I have fish to sell on my stall and a family I love more than anything.” I appreciate your constant love. Bosh”.
Source: Mirror
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