Thomas Skinner wishes he’d never done Strictly as he fumes he didn’t ‘fit the bill’

Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has fumed he wished he never took part in the BBC dance competition as he launched into a rant following his exit

Thomas Skinner has launched into a fiery rant about Strictly Come Dancing as he admitted to regretting doing the show. The Apprentice star, 34, was billed as a controversial contestant when he signed up to the hit BBC dance competition.

In the weeks that followed, he proved just that as he stirred up a storm over his behaviour off the dancefloor. Thomas faced backlash over his social media posts, notably a selfie with Vice US President JD Vance.

He then caused outrage when he stormed out of the press launch for Strictly and snatched a journalist’s phone. Then, an affair was uncovered as Thomas admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding.

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By the time Strictly launched, Thomas had hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons and his pairing with beloved Strictly dancer Amy Dowden saw him face more divide. The Mirror also revealed one of his firms hasn’t paid back a £50,000 Covid bounce back loan.

Thomas, who had limited dance agility, was booted off the show first alongside Amy. However, he has claimed he’s been subject to abuse since joining the competition and that it has continued despite him no longer being on the show.

Taking to social media, he fumed: “I’ve had enough of all this b******s. I can’t do anything right now without someone criticising me. Or Making me do something against my will. It’s bulls**t. I wish I never done strictly, I never fitted the bill for that show let’s be honest.

“It’s caused me nothing but agg. Constant abuse. All I f**kin do is try to spread positivity online. I can’t walk anywhere without people knowing who I am. I’ve had a narrative spun against me so people always have an opinion on me now that they didn’t three months ago.

“I’ve heard so many lies said and told about me. It’s driving me mad. I’ve had a constant pile on of abuse over the last month like I’m a mass murderer. It’s bulls**t.”

Thomas said people who he’s “supported my whole life” are even turning on him. He added: “I think I need to take a break and concentrate on me and my family. Because I ain’t one to admit I’m struggling. But I am.

“I’m honestly tired of all this nonsense. Can no one see what’s happening to me, I don’t know why I’ve become this target. I’ve always been the one that’s been solid. But I’ve really really had enough now. Bosh.”

Thomas had previously been complimentary about his time on Strictly as he said he was “loving life” on the dancefloor and had so much fun during his short stint on the show. “I do move like a fridge,” he admitted on spin-off show It Takes Two after his exit.

“Obviously I’d have loved to have carried on going further but it’s a dancing competition. I’m lucky to be here – I’m lucky to meet Amy. It’s been a great experience. It’s been good fun.”

Summing up his time as a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in three words, he told a host Janette Manrara: “Fun. Funny. Funnier. I don’t know what to say to be honest. I loved it.”

While on the results show, he gushed over his stint as he admitted: “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class.”

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UN calls for Israel to open more Gaza crossings for surge in aid deliveries

The United Nations humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has urged Israel to immediately open more crossings into the famine-stricken Gaza Strip to allow for a surge in aid deliveries.

In remarks to reporters on Wednesday, Fletcher said that the UN is seeking a dramatic boost in humanitarian aid for Gaza, saying the hundreds of relief trucks cleared to enter the devastated enclave were nowhere near the thousands needed to ease a humanitarian disaster.

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Thousands of humanitarian vehicles must enter weekly to avert further catastrophe, he told the Reuters news agency.

“We have 190,000 metric tonnes of provisions on the borders waiting to go in and we’re determined to deliver. That’s essential life-saving food and nutrition,” Fletcher said.

Israel’s two-year war on Gaza has displaced almost all of the Strip’s 2.2 million residents from their homes, and famine is present in the north, global monitors say.

Vast swaths of the coastal territory have been reduced to a wasteland by Israeli bombardments and air strikes that have killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Rights groups and a UN commission of inquiry have accused Israel of committing genocide in the war. Israel has denied the allegations.

US President Donald Trump and regional leaders on Monday signed a declaration in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to cement a ceasefire deal. The resumption of aid deliveries is listed as a provision in Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the war on Gaza.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said the Israeli army retained control of parts of the city.

“Large areas of Gaza City and the north remain under firm control of the Israeli military,” Mahmoud said. “Armoured vehicles and tanks are still stationed in the eastern parts of the city, preventing many residents from going back to their homes.”

“No aid is reaching Gaza City, not even from the 300 trucks that were promised entry. Major roads have been destroyed or blocked by rubble from collapsed buildings, especially high-rises, cutting off key access routes in and out of the city,” Mahmoud added.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued to sporadically attack various parts of Gaza despite the ceasefire, killing at least three people since dawn on Wednesday, according to medical sources. Gaza’s Health Ministry said hospitals in Gaza received at least 11 other bodies, including eight recovered from rubble and three who succumbed to injuries from earlier attacks.

‘Unhindered access’

Israeli officials said 600 trucks have been approved to enter the blockaded territory under the current US-brokered truce deal.

Fletcher called the announcement of 600 trucks a “good base” but said it was not enough to meet the scale of need.

He called for more than 50 international NGOs, including Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, to be allowed to bring in aid, saying the issue has been raised with Israel, the United States and other regional partners.

“We cannot deliver the scale necessary without their presence and their engagement. So we want to see them back in. We are advocating on their behalf,” he said.

“We’ve been calling for unhindered access,” Fletcher told the AFP news agency, adding: “It should happen now. We want it to happen immediately as part of this [ceasefire] agreement.”

Fletcher said the looting of aid trucks had dropped sharply in recent days as deliveries increased.

“If you’re only getting in 60 trucks a day, desperate, hungry people will attack those trucks. The way to stop the looting is to deliver aid at massive scale and get the private sector and commercial markets operating again.”

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has meanwhile said it is prepared to operate the Rafah crossing, which it previously did with EU assistance.

Fletcher welcomed the PA’s offer to play a role in reopening the crossing. He said medical evacuations through the crossing would be a priority, citing recent talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Rafah crossing remained shut on Wednesday, despite reports that it could reopen to aid convoys, as Israel insisted Hamas hand over the remains of the last deceased Israeli captives that were held by Palestinian groups in Gaza, as agreed in the truce deal.

In a statement on Wednesday night, the Palestinian group’s armed wing said it has abided by the terms of the agreement, handing over all living captives in their custody, as well as the bodies they were able to retrieve.

The group added that locating and recovering the remaining bodies would require extensive effort and specialised equipment, and that it is continuing to make efforts towards that end.

England’s lucky escape – what are the problems to address?

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Was it luck that was on England’s side, or the simple inevitability of scheduling a cricket tournament during monsoon season in Sri Lanka?

Either way, England got away with one against Pakistan on Wednesday – big time.

They were three wins from three, cruising through the group stage and only winless Pakistan were standing in their way from going into crunch matches against India and Australia unbeaten.

It should have been smooth sailing: England have only ever lost once to Pakistan, in a T20 in 2013, and never in the 50-over format.

But instead of taking momentum into those two big games against the tournament favourites, they have been jolted by a shuddering wake-up call.

England were thoroughly outplayed for 25 overs before the first bout of rain fell in Colombo, slumping to 79-7 as Pakistan’s seamers expertly utilised a helpful but not unplayable surface, before the spinners got to work on England’s fragile middle order.

Then the rain cruelly denied Pakistan a famous win after it cleared to give them an hour of hope and enough time to reach 34-0 in pursuit of 113, England’s smiles of relief juxtaposed by captain Fatima Sana’s despondence as the Colombo outfield became submerged.

This was England’s lucky escape and they have no choice but to learn from it.

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Pakistan expose glaring weakness

The schedule for this World Cup is tricky. Looking at England specifically, they are playing their group-stage games across four different venues, each offering different conditions which essentially requires learning on the job.

Against Sri Lanka just four days ago, England were on a different surface but one which offered turn, bounce and very little for the seamers. This one was different, and England’s batters did not adapt quickly enough to it.

Pakistan had clear plans and executed them, constantly challenging England’s fragile defences by nipping the ball into the right-handers.

Diana Baig’s dismissal of Tammy Beaumont jagged back off the seam, the opener playing an extravagent leave only to see the ball clatter into her off stump.

Sciver-Brunt’s dismissal moved 2.5 degrees off the pitch, not dissimilar to movement you would expect from an off-spinner, and the England skipper’s reaction with open arms and a look of disbelief said it all – they probably had not prepared for nor expected this.

Amy Jones was also bowled by Fatima, that one moving two degrees off the pitch, and the ball shaped 1.6 degrees for Heather Knight’s lbw.

It was the first time in any format that an England top seven had all been bowled or lbw since January 1908, testament to Pakistan’s discipline in targeting the stumps.

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India and Australia lie in wait

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England travel to Indore for their next two games to take on their toughest opponents in India, on Sunday, and Australia on 22 October.

Neither are ideal opponents to be facing with batting fragilities to address but the pitches there are expected to be flatter and friendlier to batters.

It was Knight’s gritty determination which rescued them against Bangladesh and Sciver-Brunt’s class ensured they posted a winning total against Sri Lanka, but when both fell early against Pakistan, England could not recover.

“Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight have scored more runs between them than their team-mates combined at this tournament,” World Cup winner Alex Hartley said on BBC Test Match Special.

“That says something within itself, and neither of them batted in the first match. That is a concern.”

Beaumont and Jones have struggled against the swinging ball – stands of six, 24 and 13 following the chase of just 70 in the opener against South Africa – but Charlotte Edwards’ first move in charge was to show faith and re-promote Jones, and it feels unlikely she will disrupt the pair.

After Sciver-Brunt and Knight, England’s next best batter has been number eight Charlie Dean with a steady 27 not out in a tense chase against Bangladesh, a handy 19 against Sri Lanka and she top-scored with 33 against Pakistan.

There have been glimpses of promise from Alice Capsey at seven but Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb are struggling to start their innings against spin in the middle order.

Lamb has 18 runs in three innings while Dunkley has 29, each of their dismissals to spin, with the former being asked to play an unfamiliar role.

When batting in the top three in domestic and international cricket, Lamb averages 44 in 61 innings with five centuries. These three innings here are the first she has ever played at number six professionally in the 50-over format.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge is England’s unused batter on the bench, and played in the middle order for a number of years, so it will be interesting to see how long the Lamb experiment continues.

England may have dodged an embarrasing slip-up here, but will be aware things are not going to get any easier.

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Claudia Winkleman’s Strictly ring is a perfect Christmas buy from Kate Middleton-approved brand

During the Strictly results show last Sunday, Claudia Winkleman was wearing a statement ring from a Kate Middleton-loved jewellery brand, and you can still shop it

Strictly Come Dancing is known for its dazzling style moments, and it’s not just the dancers who steal the show. Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are equally as glamorous as the contestants. And, this year, we’re loving Claudia’s unique style more than ever.

With the new series of Celebrity Traitors airing at the same time as Strictly, we’re being treated to twice the fashion inspiration from Claudia. The presenter’s Saturday night Strictly ensemble seemed to take a leaf out of her iconic Traitors wardrobe.

Taking inspiration from that Highlands gothic vibe Claudia pulls off so well, Sinead McKeefry (Claudia’s stylist) opted to style the presenter in a black Self Portrait mini dress. The finishing touches came from a statement signet ring from Kate Middleton-approved jewellery brand Missoma.

With royal and celebrity fans from Kate Middleton to Sienna Miller and even Barbie herself, Missoma has secured itself as one of the jewellery brands to wear. And now it has the Claudia seal of approval, with the presenter wearing the Lucy Williams Square Signet Ring, £115.

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The vintage-inspired signet ring features a black spinel gemstone, which Missoma says has a strong, empowering energy and aims to remove negativity.

The chunky shape makes this ideal for wearing on its own or layering with daintier pieces for a stylish jewellery stack.

With the Christmas countdown officially on, this is the perfect gift for sisters, mums, partners or any jewellery lovers in your life.

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If you’re after more Royal-favourite jewellery, one of Kate’s go-to brands, Astrid & Miyu, has recently launched its 2025 advent calendars. The brand has launched three different options: the 12 Day Advent Calendar in Gold or Silver (£345), the 24 Day Advent Calendar in Gold or Silver (£695), and the priciest of the three, the Solid Gold Advent Calendar (£1,350).

Judge denies bid to block former President Dina Boluarte from leaving Peru

A  judge in Peru has rejected a bid to prevent former President Dina Boluarte from leaving the country while state prosecutors investigate her for alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

Boluarte, one of the world’s least popular leaders, was ousted from the presidency last week when Congress voted 122 to zero in favour of her removal.

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She left office with approval ratings ranging between 2 and 4 percent amid growing unrest over insecurity, as transport workers and young people protested rising extortions and murders.

On Wednesday, Judge Fernando Valdez struck down the request from Peru’s State Prosecutor’s Office in a hearing, arguing that Boluarte did not present a flight risk and the request was “unfounded”.

Boluarte, who faces a series of criminal accusations, has denied wrongdoing.

Prosecutors had sought to prevent Boluarte from leaving the country over investigations that she allegedly collected money from a criminal group and failed to notify Congress during a surgery.

In the latter case, Boluarte is accused of abandoning her post for two weeks in July 2023 while she underwent a rhinoplasty. Prosecutors say she did not notify Congress, nor appoint a caretaker president.

Other allegations concern questions of corruption: There has been scrutiny over the origins of her collection of luxury Rolex watches.

Her government is also accused of using excessive force against the deadly protests that erupted in support of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, who was also impeached and removed from office in December 2022.

On the night of her removal from office last week, a crowd had gathered outside Ecuador’s embassy in Lima amid speculation that Boluarte could seek asylum with the neighbouring country.