Strictly's Thomas Skinner 'sues BBC for "rigging public vote" to eliminate him first' following affair scandal - after the controversial star pulls out of show's live final

The BBC is facing another legal battle after Thomas Skinner, the first contestant eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2025, filed a lawsuit. He claims the broadcaster rigged the public vote to remove him from the competition. The case adds to the BBC’s growing legal troubles, which already include a £7.5 billion claim from Donald Trump over an edited Panorama episode.

Skinner, known for his outspoken right-wing views, has insisted he received more public support than the results showed. The BBC has firmly denied any interference, stating the vote is independently verified.

Skinner’s exit from Strictly came after he and professional partner Amy Dowden scored just 29 out of 80 over two performances. Viewers had criticised his routines, with some calling them 'traumatising'. Despite the low scores, he ended up in the bottom two alongside former rugby player Chris Robshaw, who was saved by the judges.

The controversy around Skinner had grown even before his elimination. Weeks earlier, he admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead shortly after their marriage, sparking a wave of negative publicity. His casting on the show had already been divisive due to his political stance.

Now, Skinner alleges the BBC manipulated the vote to ensure his departure. A former campaign manager backed his claim, stating that Skinner genuinely believed the results were fixed against him. The BBC has responded by reaffirming that the voting process is overseen by an independent body and that no tampering occurred.

This lawsuit comes as the BBC is already defending itself in a separate, far larger case. Donald Trump is suing the corporation for £7.5 billion, accusing them of doctoring his speech in a Panorama investigation. The timing of Skinner’s legal action adds further pressure on the broadcaster.

Skinner’s case will now proceed through the courts, where his team claims to have evidence supporting his vote-rigging allegations. The BBC maintains its position that the Strictly voting system is fair and transparent.

If the lawsuit succeeds, it could force changes in how the show’s results are handled. For now, the broadcaster must address both Skinner’s claims and Trump’s ongoing legal challenge.

Strictly's Thomas Skinner 'sues BBC for "rigging public vote" to eliminate him first' following affair scandal - after the controversial star pulls out of show's live final