Thomas Skinner admits 'I wasn't good enough for Strictly' after controversial stint

Thomas Skinnerhas admitted that he was not "good enough" for Strictly Come Dancing after he sparked backlash before the show began and was the first celebrity eliminated.

When the former Apprentice star was announced as part of the Strictly line-up, many fans were not happy as they felt his online political presence, where he shared his admiration for the likes of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage, meant he was not someone who should be platformed.

The backlash increased after Thomas stormed out of a press event prior to the show, with a reporter's phone in hand. Fans of Strictly labelled him a "man-child" for his actions and some demanded he be removed from the competition because of his behaviour.

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When Thomas broke his silence on the situation, he explained that on the reporter's phone, he could see messages telling them to ask about a something from his past. Though he did not reveal what this was, just before the show started, fans found out that Thomas had previously cheated on his wife Siobhan.

Still, the Romford-based entrepreneur went on to perform on the launch show and the first two live shows of Strictly. Partnered with Amy Dowden, he danced a Paso Doble and a Salsa.

However, in the first results show, he was put in the bottom two and had to dance off against Chris Robshaw. After the judges chose to save Chris, Thomas went home.

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Appearing on It Takes Two, Thomas has now said he knew he wasn't "good enough" for the show. “I know I’m not the best dancer, but we had such a laugh out there.”

He added: “I was second from bottom, weren’t I, and I do move like a fridge, so let’s have it right, I was trying but I weren’t good enough.”

Thomas also said that he would have "loved to carry on" and was "lucky to meet Amy". He added that it was a "great experience". “Obviously, I’d have loved to carry on going further, but it’s a dancing competition, and I’m lucky to be here. I’m lucky to meet Amy. I’ve got a new friend. My family loves her, and it’s been a great experience, it’s been good fun.”

Amy said she was "impressed" by Thomas, not just because he had never danced before, but because he was not an entertainer at all. Most Strictly celebrities come from an acting or musical background and are used to being on stage or on camera, but celebs like Thomas, who became famous on The Apprentice, and Chris, who was a rugby player, are not.

"I am so impressed. An absolute beginner in terms of the entertainment world. Not an actor, not a performer," Amy said. "The performances you pulled out both Saturdays.

"I was so glad, and I also saw the development from day one, learning it to getting it on the dancefloor. And he worked so hard, but also we had so much fun. But best of all, who would have thought that Thomas Skinner would fall in love with dancing, including the salsa.”

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