BBC issue blunt Tom Skinner statement as Strictly | UK News

The BBC has responded following Thomas Skinner‘s explosive outburst at Elstree Studios yesterday. The former Apprentice contestant grabbed a journalist’s cell and marched out of interviews when questioned about the Strictly Come Dancing launch.

His participation in the programme now stays unsure – leaving executives with a major disaster forward of tonight’s launch filming.

In regarding developments for Skinner, the broadcaster informed the Mirror today: “The BBC is very clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected will not be tolerated on our programmes.”

On Wednesday, the Essex cushion entrepreneur, recognized for his controversial social media presence, seized a journalist’s machine during questioning and demanded they stop filming. Skinner objected to being recorded while talking. He had attended the interview session with fellow participant, ex-footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was subsequently left conducting interviews alone.

He was heard saying: “What’s that? Are you taping it?”

The reporter answered: “We have to record it,” before she was heard asking: “What are you doing?” A voice was heard: “Just answer the question, we’ve got three minutes,” before the reporter said: “No, no, no, don’t.”

Thomas then told them: “That’s about me,” before the reporter answered: “No, it’s not.” When one individual requested ‘what made them run the query’, the reporter said they had been ‘just recording it’. After a few moments of inaudible audio, another person said: “Oh my God, he’s gone.”

An insider told Express.co.uk: “BBC bosses have been left extremely frustrated by Tom’s behaviour during the roundtables, especially as the pressure is on for a drama-free series.

“They desperately tried to get him back, in the hopes he would calm down, but Tom would not be reasoned with. It would not set a good tone for the collection, and there are even doubts whether or not he might be ready to continue, with BBC workers left embarrassed by his behaviour, and being pressured to apologise on his behalf before the collection has even begun.”

His actions left organisers seething and sparked discussions among BBC bosses about his future on the show.

Just hours before the incident, Skinner informed his followers on X that he “cannot be purchased” and “will not say issues just to keep people completely satisfied”.

Before Skinner’s antics, the BBC boss defended his casting in the family dance show while speaking at a hearing for the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

Tim Davie was questioned about why Skinner had been included in this year’s line up.

Tim stated: “That was not my resolution. That was the manufacturing staff trying for those people that they thought would … you’ve got acquired two standards; those people who need to do Strictly and those people they thought can be attention-grabbing to the viewers.”