The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom has already claimed its first casualty of the 2025 season, and it’s none other than The Apprentice fan-favorite Thomas Skinner. The 34-year-old social media sensation became the first contestant to sashay away from the BBC’s glitzy dance floor over the weekend, leaving fans stunned and the Strictly community buzzing. But in true Skinner fashion, he didn’t exit quietly—he left with a grin, a quip, and three words that perfectly summed up his whirlwind journey: “Fun. Funny. Funnier.”
Skinner, paired with the ever-effervescent professional dancer Amy Dowden, found himself in the dreaded dance-off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova. The Sunday showdown saw both couples reprising their Saturday night performances, with Skinner and Dowden delivering a high-energy salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden, while Robshaw and Bychkova waltzed gracefully to Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Despite Skinner’s undeniable enthusiasm, the judges—Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood—unanimously voted to save Robshaw and Bychkova, leaving Motsi Mabuse’s vote unneeded (though she confirmed she’d have agreed).
Reflecting on his exit during Monday’s It Takes Two with host Janette Manrara, Skinner was his usual cheeky self, admitting he was “loving life” on the dancefloor despite his short stint. “I do move like a fridge,” he laughed, poking fun at his own performance. “Obviously, I’d have loved to have carried on, but it’s a dancing competition. I’m lucky to be here—I’m lucky to meet Amy. It’s been a great experience. It’s been good fun.”
When Manrara asked if he was gutted to leave, Skinner’s response was pure gold: “I wanted to be bad at other dances too. I was looking forward to that!” His infectious humor shone through as he summed up his Strictly experience in three unforgettable words: “Fun. Funny. Funnier.” The quip left Manrara bemused and the audience charmed, perfectly capturing Skinner’s larger-than-life personality.
On Sunday’s results show, Skinner didn’t hold back on his gratitude, despite his early exit. “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 that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class.”
The judges’ decision came after combining the couples’ scores from weeks one and two with the public vote. Skinner’s salsa earned a modest 13 points on Saturday, bringing his total to 29. Craig Revel Horwood didn’t mince words, likening Skinner’s performance to “a weightlifting competition in Skegness” and awarding him a brutal score of two. Ouch! But Skinner took it all in stride, proving he’s as resilient on the dancefloor as he is in the boardroom.
For Amy Dowden, the experience was equally meaningful. The professional dancer, who has faced significant personal challenges in recent years, opened up about how Skinner helped her rediscover her love for dance. “I’ve got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable,” she said. “He’s looked after me. We’ve laughed so much. 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. I’ve made a new friend for life, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Dowden also shared a heartfelt reflection on how Skinner restored her confidence. “The last three years have been quite difficult for me,” she admitted. “I lost all confidence as a dancer—but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back, and, honestly, thank you.”
While Skinner’s Strictly journey may have been short, his impact was anything but. His humor, heart, and unapologetic authenticity resonated with fans, and his three-word verdict speaks for every Strictly contestant who’s ever faced the music and left with a smile. As he exits the ballroom, Thomas Skinner reminds us all that sometimes, it’s not about the glitterball—it’s about the joy of the dance.