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.
READ MORE: Shirley Ballas makes emotional plea to fans ahead of Strictly Come Dancing returnREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Dani Dyer admits she’s terrified ahead of BBC launch
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.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.