The 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing has delivered its first shocking exit, and it’s none other than the polarizing internet personality and Apprentice star Thomas Skinner. After two weeks of dazzling performances without public voting, the stakes soared on Saturday, October 4, when viewers finally had their say. The result? A dramatic dance-off that sent Skinner and his professional partner, Amy Dowden, packing in the season’s earliest elimination.
The night was electric as the public’s votes were combined with the judges’ scores from weeks one and two. Skinner, paired with the beloved Dowden, found himself in the bottom two alongside former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova. The dance-off was a clash of styles: Skinner and Dowden reprised their high-energy salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s “Bonkers,” while Robshaw and Bychkova glided through their Viennese waltz to “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Despite Skinner’s spirited performance, the judges were unanimous in their decision. Head judge Shirley Ballas, along with Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, voted to save Robshaw and Bychkova, sealing Skinner’s fate. Motsi Mabuse, spared from casting her vote, confirmed she would have made the same choice. The decision was a bitter pill for Skinner, whose combined score of 29—bolstered by a disappointing 13 for his salsa—couldn’t sway the judges or the public.
Reflecting on his whirlwind Strictly journey, Skinner remained upbeat. “I’ve loved it,” he said. “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 we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class.” His gratitude was palpable, acknowledging Dowden’s skill and the joy of their partnership.
For Dowden, the elimination was bittersweet. After missing the last two seasons due to cancer treatment in 2023 and a foot injury in 2024, her return to Strictly was a personal triumph. “We’ve laughed so much,” she said of her time with Skinner. “We’ve worked so hard, and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learned in the last few years is happiness, health, and being alive is more important than anything.” She added, “There’s a ballroom boy in there, so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the ballroom. The last three years have been tough for me—I lost all confidence as a dancer. But walking into the room with you, Thomas, with your massive smile and laugh, you brought me back. Thank you.”
Skinner’s exit comes amidst a storm of controversy. The internet personality faced scrutiny before the series even began, from snatching a journalist’s phone at a press conference after spotting messages about his past to admitting to a “fling” weeks after his wedding. Addressing the latter, Skinner was candid: “It was a very dark time. My wife never deserved that—she’s such a good person, and without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” He emphasized the importance of honesty, noting that he and his wife have since moved on. His vocal support for US President Donald Trump also sparked backlash, though Skinner claimed it only fueled his resilience.
The judges didn’t hold back in their critique of Skinner’s salsa. Craig Revel Horwood quipped, “It looked like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling, it was all just powerlifts,” awarding him a mere two points. Despite bookies predicting TV presenter Ross King as the likely first elimination, it was Skinner who made an unexpected early exit, cementing his place in Strictly history.