
The Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner has apologised for storming out of a Strictly Come Dancing press event on Tuesday.
The businessman, 34, was conducting a series of interviews alongside the rest of the 2025 Strictly cast after a morning of rehearsals.
However, Metro attended the BBC press day and was informed that Skinner only took part in two interviews before ‘storming out’ of the event held at Elstree Studios, where the ballroom dance show is also filmed.
Skinner has now taken to Instagram to apologise for his actions, sharing a statement ‘to set the record straight’.
‘During one of the interviews, a journalist placed their phone on the table to record the conversation,’ the statement began.
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‘I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages – not about Strictly – but about a personal story from my past.


‘I’ve been through some difficult times in my life, which I’ve worked hard to move on from. In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard. I felt it was best to step away and gather myself.
‘This had nothing to do with the interviews or Strictly itself. I’m sorry I picked up someone else’s phone and I don’t even know if the journalist realised their messages were visible, and I don’t want to suggest any bad intentions on their part.
‘What I do want to say is how excited I am to be part of Strictly this year. I’m so grateful for all the love, kindness and support I’ve been shown so far.
‘It means the world to me, and I can’t wait to give it my all on that dancefloor. Bosh.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC and iPlayer from September 20.
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