Tom Skinner Becomes First Strictly Elimination
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 has seen its first celebrity departure — and it's none other than former Apprentice star and internet personality Tom Skinner, who was eliminated following a dance-off with ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.
Skinner and pro partner Amy Dowden gave it their all with a salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers, but it failed to impress the judges. In fact, Craig Revel Horwood said the routine looked “like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling, it was all just powerlifts.” They scored just 13 points, the lowest of the week. Meanwhile, Robshaw and partner Nadiya Bychkova performed a Viennese waltz that, while not technically perfect, was enough to win over the panel.
With public voting opening for the first time this series, the two couples landed in the bottom. After both reprised their routines, judges unanimously chose to save Robshaw, sending Skinner packing.
Despite the early exit, Skinner remained upbeat. “I’ve loved it. 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!” he told Tess Daly after the result.
Amy Dowden returned the love, saying: “The last three years as you know have been quite difficult for me. 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.” Dowden, who’s battled breast cancer and injury setbacks, had hoped for a deeper run this season and admitted she was “a bit gutted” that Skinner never got the chance to do a ballroom number.
Skinner’s early exit didn’t come as a total shock. His off-screen controversies had cast a long shadow even before his first dance. In recent months, the businessman admitted to cheating on his wife, expressed controversial political views, and stormed out of a press conference, snatching a journalist’s phone. He later said he was caught off-guard by seeing a personal story on the screen. His brash social media persona, once known for viral fry-ups and “bosh!” catchphrases, lost some shine as Strictly fans — who tend to value warmth over bombast — struggled to connect. While some expected morning host Ross King to be the first to go, viewers ultimately spared him, perhaps favouring earnestness over spectacle.
There’s a sense that Skinner's Strictly journey never quite got off the ground. His routine leaned heavily on physical showmanship, with four dramatic lifts, but lacked emotional connection — the key ingredient that often wins over the judges and public alike. “There is a ballroom boy in there,” Dowden insisted — but we never got to see him.
Strictly now moves on to Movie Week, with 14 couples left on the dance floor.
