Former apprentice star exits Strictly after losing dance-off to rugby ace Chris Robshaw
Thomas Skinner has become the first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2025, bowing out after a dramatic dance-off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw.
The 34-year-old businessman and ex-Apprentice contestant found himself in the bottom two alongside Robshaw after Saturday’s public vote. Despite an enthusiastic performance, Skinner and his professional dance partner Amy Dowden couldn’t convince the judges to keep them in the competition.
The pair reprised their energetic salsa routine to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden — but it wasn’t enough to save them from elimination.
Their rivals, Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova, performed a graceful Viennese waltz to Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, earning unanimous support from the judging panel.
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Head judge Shirley Ballas joined Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood in voting to save Robshaw and Bychkova, sealing Skinner’s fate. Judge Motsi Mabuse agreed, saying she too would have chosen the rugby player’s performance to stay.
Speaking moments after his exit, Skinner took the defeat with good humour.
“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.”
Dowden, who recently returned to the show after taking time off for cancer treatment, praised Skinner’s energy and spirit, saying he had been “an absolute joy” to teach.
Skinner, known for his larger-than-life personality and entrepreneurial flair, rose to fame after appearing on BBC One’s The Apprentice in 2019. He later became a social media personality and businessman, often posting motivational videos and light-hearted clips about his East End roots.
However, his Strictly stint has not been without controversy. Just weeks before the series aired, Skinner made headlines after admitting to cheating on his wife shortly after their wedding — a revelation that sparked a media storm. He later apologised publicly for his behaviour.
More recently, he found himself in hot water after reportedly walking out of a press event midway through, taking a journalist’s phone with him by accident. Skinner apologised, blaming the incident on “nerves and confusion” ahead of his live debut.
Despite the drama, Skinner’s short-lived time on Strictly was memorable for its sheer enthusiasm. His debut week saw him deliver an animated cha-cha-cha, earning modest scores but plenty of smiles from the judges.
For his second performance, he threw himself — quite literally — into the salsa, spinning Dowden around the floor with exuberant if chaotic energy. He ended Saturday night’s show with a joint score of 29, including 13 for the salsa.
In the end, the combined total of judges’ marks and public votes couldn’t keep him safe, and his exit was confirmed in Sunday night’s results show hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
After the result was announced, Daly offered words of encouragement, telling him:
“You’ve brought such fun and positivity to the ballroom, Thomas. You should be really proud of yourself.”
Fans took to social media to express mixed reactions — some praising his humour and good-natured attitude, while others admitted his early departure was “inevitable” given the strength of the competition.
Chris Robshaw’s survival keeps the former rugby captain in the running as the show moves into its third week. Other celebrities still in the competition include actor Michelle Keegan, pop star Pixie Lott, and TV presenter Roman Kemp.
As for Skinner, he leaves Strictly with his trademark grin intact — and a promise to keep dancing, if only for fun.
“It’s been a mad ride,” he said backstage. “I’ll be cheering everyone on — especially Amy. She’s the best dancer in the world