Thomas Skinner says he was not good enough for Strictly: ‘I move like a fridge’

By Hannah Roberts, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter

Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has reflected on his elimination from Strictly Come Dancing and said he was not “good enough” for the show and moves “like a fridge”.

The internet star, 34, from Romford, and his professional dance partner Amy Dowden became the first couple to leave the series on Sunday after failing to win over the judges with their salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden.

Skinner told Strictly spin-off programme It Takes Two: “I know I’m not the best dancer, but we had such a laugh out there.”

He added: “I was second from bottom, weren’t I, and I do move like a fridge, so let’s have it right, I was trying but I weren’t good enough.”

Skinner continued: “Obviously, I’d have loved to carry on going further, but it’s a dancing competition, and I’m lucky to be here.

“I’m lucky to meet Amy. I’ve got a new friend. My family loves her, and it’s been a great experience, it’s been good fun.”

Reflecting on their partnership, Welsh dancer Dowden, 35, said: “I am so impressed. An absolute beginner in terms of the entertainment world. Not an actor, not a performer.

“The performances you (Skinner) pulled out both Saturdays. I was so glad, and I also saw the development from day one, learning it to getting it on the dancefloor. And he worked so hard, but also we had so much fun.

“But best of all, who would have thought that Thomas Skinner would fall in love with dancing, including the salsa.”

Skinner, who has made his name as a social media star, ended Saturday’s show with a joint score of 29, combining his score from week one as well as week two.

Before giving him a two, judge Craig Revel Horwood said of the dance: “It looked like you were competing at a weightlifting competition in Skegness, darling, it was all just powerlifts.”

Ahead of this year’s series, Skinner hit the headlines after he admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in an interview with The Sun, having previously apologised for picking up a journalist’s phone and walking out of a press event for Strictly midway through.

The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for movie week when Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.05pm on Saturday October 11, on BBC One and iPlayer.