Strictly Come Dancing's Tom Skinner responds to fierce backlash after BBC announcement

Tom Skinner has hit back after fans lambasted hisStrictly Come Dancing appearance. The former star of The Apprentice was announced as one of this year's celebrity contestants on the hit BBC show.

However, viewers were quick to make their feelings known about the decision to sign up the star. Toms, 34, was unveiled as the tenth contestant for the new series of Strictly.

And in the Instagram post of the announcement, fans fumed with the organisation. "Big yikes and no from me," said one. "Do some more research please, BBC babes." "Wow absolutely disgraceful decision," added another, while a third said: "Oh no. This man is so offensive."

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And a fourth said: "Yeah Strictly ... this ain't it. This is such a bad vibe choice. Ugly opinions and deeply polarising. Can't help but feel like this is going to be an own goal."

On Twitter/X, Tom has over 400,000 followers on X and his social media presence has since sparked an extraordinary friendship with US Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate. The Strictly contestant admitted that he has seen some of the criticism headed in his direction today.

In a new post on the platform he wrote: "They say don’t read the comments on social media. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve had absolute pellets all day on my instagram lost about going on strictly." He then shared a link to Instagram as he went on: "Have a look at some of these on Instagram …. Why are some people so angry that don’t even know me. Not Bosh."

Earlier, he had posted: "Well the news is out about me going on Strictly. Never in a million years did I think I would Receive the amount of messages of support (and the also amount of hate).

"But thank you to everyone. You’re absolutely legends. I’m gonna sit and have a few cold ones and take in what’s actually going on. Life is crazy. Gotta grab everything with both hands and take it for what it is. Hope you have a wonderful afternoon. Love you all. Bosh."

The backlash comes after Tom, since his appearance on the Apprentice, has become known for his social media content. He sometimes post controversial opinions, as well as takes on business, politics and family life.

He recently claimed he had received “death threats” and “vile comments about my children”, following a series of social media posts claiming “something’s gone wrong” in the UK, and saying “there is nothing wrong with being proud of where you’re from”.

In other uploads, which drew criticism from some of his followers on the platform, the reality star also said it is “not far-right” to be “flying your flag and loving your country”. He also complained “it ain’t safe out there anymore” in London, saying the city is “hostile” and “tense”.

As well as Tom and the BBC facing the fume of fans following the announcement, anumber of the stars of Strictly also felt the wrath online.

Several of the professionals gave him a warm welcome on the official Instagram announcement. Shirley Ballas faced backlash after saying "welcome" to the star. One user berated: "It’s very sad to see the dancers who we’ve followed and loved supporting far right politics - I guess strictly is a pretty big pay packet."

Another added: "no Shirley. Disappointing from you and @bbcstrictly." And a third added: "You've worked with lgbtq+ people your whole life, and you support this??? Disgusting."

Fans also told Gorka Marquez "not you too" as he shared praise on the post. One user lashed out: "your [sic] an embarrassment supporting him," after the professional dancer shared three clapping hands emojis.

TV star Narinder Kaur also later criticised the BBC’s decision to cast Tom after saying she was told she was “too controversial” for the show herself.

In the caption of a video posted to X, the 52-year-old Jeremy Vinepanellist and former Big Brother star said: “Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you’ll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!!”

In her fiery statement, she added: “There’s only so much you can say in a short video, but I felt something many others have been feeling all day and that was complete shock and utter bewilderment – to see Thomas be announced in the line-up, considering all the rhetoric about how people with right-wing opinions are cancelled and not allowed on the BBC.

“I’ve debated Tom on Good Morning Britain before, I supported his book release at his launch party, there is a huge disparity in what certain demographics of people are allowed to say and still get one show after another.

“I met the Strictly team at the TV Choice Awards earlier this year and got talking to one of the bookers about the show generally – and she said ‘You’re a bit too controversial and we can’t have that for the show.’”

Strictly, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas as judges.

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