Thomas Skinner says 'Amy didn't deserve to be first out' after Strictly elimination

Thomas Skinner has spoken out online after becoming the first Strictly Come Dancing star to be eliminated this year. Thomas, who found fame on The Apprentice, was booted off the show after the first public vote, which landed both him and rugby player Chris Robshaw in the bottom two.

The judges unanimously chose to save Chris, resulting in Tom being the first star to leave the 2025 competition. Speaking on the show, Tom told host Tess Daly: "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! Thank you, Amy - sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class."

However, the star has now broken his silence on social media. In an emotional social media post, the reality star and businessman said: "Amy Dowden is one of the most amazing persons I've ever met. I loved every single second dancing with her. She is an absolutely wonderful person inside and out.

READ MORE: Strictly forgotten pro dancer who's one of the most successful in BBC show's history

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing's Vicky Pattison says husband is 'sick of us' after new bedroom rule

"She didn’t deserve to be out first, I'm so gutted for her that we went so early in the competition. I know dancing means the absolute world to her. Keep on shinning Amy. Sorry our Strictly journey was so short. But you keep on shinning girl. You deserve the world. Bosh."

Fans were quick to offer their support to Tom, with one writing: "Tom, you put everything into your performances and if enthusiasm & energy was the skill, you’d be at the top of the leaderboard! Amy looked super proud of you. Onwards and upwards to the next adventure."

"Your lifting experience served you well. OK, honestly, you were a bit rigid, but like my husband, you are not a natural mover, but 10/10 for going on the show. You did what I would call a splendid effort," said a second. Meanwhile, a third added: "Mate. You were ten times better than you thought you were and probably the most genuine and authentic. Keep going."

"Tom what Amy said to u about how u light up a room and how after her cancer battle you made her feel alive again basically with her return is worth more then anything imo and you should be really proud of that," gushed a fourth.

Tom's professional dance partner Amy Dowden spoke about getting to know "the real Tom" during their time on Strictly - and revealed that he brought her confidence back during his short stint.

"He is adorable. He’s looked after me," she said. "We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything.

"I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing. There is a Ballroom boy in there so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the Ballroom, but 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."

During his short time on the show, Tom hit the headlines on a number of occasions thanks to his Twitter rants. The reality star was pictured with US Vice President JD Vance the day before being announced as part of the 2025 case.

He stormed out of Strictly's press interviews after snatching a journalist's phone, and it later came to light that he'd had an affair with an aesthetician just weeks after his 2022 wedding to wife Sinead.

After making his Strictly debut in September, he took to X with a furious tirade and warned, "I won't be cancelled". He wrote on X at the time: "Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance….its gone crazy.

"Certain people are doing everythin they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political," he fumed.

* This is a breaking showbiz news story. Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram, Twitter , Facebook , and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.