Archive September 9, 2025

Strictly Come Dancing returns later this month and ahead of the launch Thomas Skinner has made headlines after ‘storming out’ of an interview about the BBC dance show

The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie defended the casting of Thomas Skinner on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing earlier today. It came just hours before the former The Apprentice candidate “stormed out” of an interview.

Thomas, 34, whose casting has sparked controversy, is due to compete on the BBC show when it returns later this month. It was reported this afternoon that he walked out of an interview ahead of the launch and “grabbed” a reporter’s phone after realising that he was being recorded.

Hours earlier, BBC boss Tim, 58, had addressed the decision to cast Thomas on the new series. It was whilst he was speaking to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee about the corporation, including on Strictly, earlier today.

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Tim said: “That was not my decision. That was the production team looking for those people that they thought would … you’ve got two criteria; those people who want to do Strictly and those people they thought would be interesting to the audience.”

He also spoke about presenter Narinder Kaur who previously questioned the decision to cast Thomas. As part of her criticism of the show, Narinder said that she had been told that she was “too controversial” for Strictly herself.

Speaking about Narinder, Tim said he had “never heard that” when asked about claims she was rejected for the show. He continued by saying to the committee: “I’m not involved directly, that’s not disowning it, it’s just day to day.

“It’s for BBC Studios to propose to the commissioner of entertainment who they think they can get … one is who will take part, because it’s quite a commitment, three months in full training. And the second is, who are people that they think would make a good balance in terms of the cast, and my goodness, they’ve done a good job in terms of creating a phenomenal show.”

He added: “Clearly, we wouldn’t take anyone whose views are y’know just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn’t accept them. But that’s not the case here, from what I know, I’m not an expert on the individual, per se.”

Asked if there’s criteria for someone to be deemed “too controversial” for the show, he said: “There may be views you don’t agree with but that’s not to me a criteria. If someone had broadcast things that y’know were totally unacceptable, had racist [views] … we don’t want them anywhere near our shows. That’s obvious.

“That’s what our team have to judge. I don’t know how many series we’re in but we’ve had a pretty good run of the contestants, there’s been things to deal with, but actually, in terms of the casting and the overall show around the world, I think they do a good job.”

Just hours later, Thomas “stormed out” of an interview about the show, with him telling reporters: “I’m not doing this.” He was being interviewed by journalists at the BBC’s Elstree Studios when he got up and left the room.

It’s reported that he took issue with a reporter recording an interview, which is a common practise, during the press day for Strictly. He had arrived at the table alongside fellow contestant, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was left having to do interviews on his own.

A source told the Mirror: “He walked to the table with his head down, he sat down, grabbed one of the reporters phones, who told him to stop. It was a shock. His reaction came out of nowhere.” Another source told us: “It was totally out of the blue. He was absolutely fine during the first interview. In good spirits and delighted and surprised to be there. Like a competition winner.”

A journalist is said to have asked Thomas what had motivated him to sign up for the show, which left him realising that he was being recorded on a phone at the press event. Before picking up the phone and taking it from the table, he asked: “What’s that?” The journalist responded asking: “What are you doing, can you answer the question, we have only got three minutes. I’m just recording him.”

Rylan Clark has admitted he was left “stunned” after he underwent a pyschic reading which predicted he would end up with some huge health problems in his future.

Rylan Clark has admitted that a recent trip to see an astrologer left him reeling, when it was predicted he would face major health problems in his future.

The TV personality was filming for his new BBC show, Passage To India, alongside best pal Rob Rinder when they took the trip, which was caught for the show, as the latter says: “Usually when something is funny in real life, it can’t possibly be as funny when you watch it back, but that really was the funniest moment for me.

“For me, astrology is absurd, woo woo, a bucket load of horse s**t, and I was really worried because I wanted to explore those ideas about going to India for enlightenment, but he wanted to go to an astrologer.”

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After Rylan phones his beloved mum Linda to get his time and place of birth for the reading, it all descends into chaos.

Astrologer Professor Vinod Shastri then tells Rylan he should expect to have teeth, lung and leg problems in the future, reveals that in Rylan’s past life he had many relationships and also tells the TV presenter that he has a “slightly psychotic problem”, much to Rob’s amusement.

“I was so excited. And the s**t he came out with,” Rylan says, laughing. “And to make matters worse, when I got back, my mum told me she got my time of birth wrong, she had mixed it up with my brother’s. So it was all b******s anyway!”

Rob wasn’t spared from having his own embarrassing moments in India, most notably when he ended up rapping in a marketplace in central Delhi after meeting a rapper called Naveen Koomar. It was an experience he describes as “horrific”.

“I like grime artists and I got so excited, but I was like David Brent on steroids,” he says. “There are no protrusive parts of my body left to cringe with when I watch it back. But I am glad I took part.”

The pair previously won a TV BAFTA for their Grand Tour series, with Passage To India a continuation of the series. And now, they’re hoping that Passage To India is as well-received as Grand Tour , and that it could lead to a third trip together.

However, while the first two series were inspired by Rob’s literary heroes, it’s unlikely that a third would focus on a literary choice of Rylan’s.

“I’ve only ever written and read my own book!” Rylan says. “Where would we go? Maybe Marbella – someone must have written a novel about Marbella. Then we could spend a few nights outside the Sinatra bar, days sitting round the pool…”

Rob and Rylan’s Passage To India is on Sunday 14 Sep, 9pm, BBC Two

Welsh rockers Stereophonics have shared their surprising backstage ritual they take part in before performing, after their newest album soared to the top of the charts.

Stereophonics may be old school, but the rockers say they have thawed through one another’s tough exteriors and swapped fist bumps for hugs backstage.

“Recently in the last year or two, we started to give each other a hug. It went from a fist bump about a year and a half ago…usually we wouldn’t even look at each other and you just walk on,” says drummer Jamie Morrison.

The band, which also includes Kelly Jones, Richard Jones and Adam Zindani, performed hits such as Dakota in front of the 60,000 strong crowd at Radio 2 In The Park over the weekend.

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While their classic tracks got the festival going, so did their new music, with the band’s most recent album – Make ‘Em Laugh, Make ‘Em Cry, Make ‘Em Wait – flying straight to number one in the charts.

“The songs on the album are quite personal.”says guitarist Adam Zindani. He adds, “When songs are written in such a way, they just connect with people and for simple reasons.”

“It’s like a big snow, big snow rolling down the mountain just getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Right at the bottom is number one, not at the top, it’s right at the bottom,” continues the musician.

With the Welsh band set to head on an enormous arena tour later this year, bassist Richard Jones said the fire to perform still burns as brightly as ever, “It’s the best job in the world, really, to play music in front of a great audience.”

He added: “It’s good going… and we’ve got great fans as well. You know the fans are amazing. We do our bit. They bring the atmosphere and we feel that.”

The band also spoke about the importance of championing younger artists, something they are passionate about.

Putting this into action during their special performance at the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Saturday, 16 August 2025, they were joined by Blossoms and Jake Bugg.

As Morrison explained: “Well, they did it, bigger bands did it to you when you’re coming up. It’s just a rite of passage… when you can provide that stage to another artist.” He added: “It wouldn’t be a summer without seeing Jake.”

With nine number one albums behind them and their biggest arena tour ahead, Stereophonics show no signs of slowing down.