By Claudia Trotman,Elizabeth Cotton

Copyright dailystar

Strictly Come Dancing’s Thomas Skinner has emerged as a “controversial” selection for numerous BBC viewers, given his online content frequently sparks fury. The 34-year-old was revealed as the tenth celebrity contestant joining the fresh series of Strictly Come Dancing , with the announcement made by Sam Thompson on Hits Radio. On tonight’s launch show (September 20), it was revealed that the Apprentice star has been paired with professional dancer Thomas Skinner. Fans were left furious, with one joking: “[Amy] can manage Thomas Skinner for the 3 weeks it will take for the public to get bored of him”. Skinner initially burst onto television screens during The Apprentice in 2019, establishing himself as the standout personality of his series. Following his departure from the boardroom, Thomas has featured on various TV programmes including 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain and Faking It, plus a notable and “meme-worthy” stint on Celebrity Master Chef. Regarding his entry into the Strictly ballroom, Thomas declared: “I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing . I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!”, reports the Manchester Evening News . “I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!”. Thomas has gained recognition for his numerous social media clips where he concludes them with his signature “Bosh” catchphrase that has become rather iconic among his followers. The celebrity faced backlash after being photographed enjoying a barbecue with JD Vance – Vice President of the USA. Given Vance’s right-wing political stance, supporters expressed concern that Thomas endorsed such ideologies. Following his meeting, Thomas disclosed: “Since I posted that picture I’ve had loads of death threats. People saying they want me dead, saying I am this political figure that I’m actually not. “I actually really ain’t. I couldn’t tell you what’s going on in the world right now. Now the left seems to be attacking me every day on social media. The right seems to see me as this figurehead and it’s all been a bit much for me, if I’m honest with you.” Pondering the invitation, he continued: “Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do? You’re a normal person. And, I’ve been given this opportunity to sit with the vice president of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America. To me that was, ‘Wow’.” He shot to fame after appearing on series 19 of The Apprentice. He came eighth before Lord Sugar gave him the boot in week nine. Thomas hails from Romford, East London, and became well-known as a market trader flogging pillows before his stint on the programme. Discussing Lord Sugar, Thomas revealed: “He’s a nice bloke! I’ve got his number and we have a chat every now and then. I’ve asked him for a bit of advice and I’ve sold him kind of bits and pieces too!'”. Just days before the Strictly launch, Thomas admitted he had been unfaithful to his wife weeks before their wedding. He and Sinead tied the knot back in 2022. He has three children with his wife – Henry, Darla and Roma. He confessed that it was the ‘biggest mistake of his life’ when he met the woman at a pub, where she offered him “cosmetic slimming treatments.” The aftermath “was a very, very dark time”, he admitted, adding that his wife “never deserved that, she’s such a good person, without her I wouldn’t be where I am today – she made me”. He suggested that grief played a part in his actions, as the affair took place just one day after the tragic death of a close friend, known as Big Mark. Big Mark had provided Thomas with a place to stay when he was homeless and had been like a father figure to him. Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter