The director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, has spoken out in support of the decision to include Thomas Skinner in the upcoming season of “Strictly Come Dancing.” This comes following an incident where Thomas, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” abruptly left an interview session.
Thomas, aged 34, who has stirred controversy with his casting, is set to participate in the BBC show scheduled to premiere later this month. Reports indicate that he left an interview session before the show’s launch and took a reporter’s phone upon realizing he was being recorded.
During a discussion with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier in the day, Tim Davie, aged 58, explained that the casting decision was made by the production team based on criteria such as contestants’ interest in the show and their appeal to the audience.
Responding to criticisms from presenter Narinder Kaur, who questioned Thomas’ casting, Tim Davie expressed unawareness of any rejection claims against Narinder. He emphasized that the selection process is managed by BBC Studios, ensuring participants are suitable and engaging for the show.
Tim Davie clarified that individuals with extreme or unacceptable views are not considered for the show, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced and engaging cast. He emphasized the well-rounded selection process that aims to create an exceptional show.
Following his defense of the casting decision, Thomas abruptly left an interview session, stating, “I’m not doing this,” and reportedly objected to being recorded by a journalist during a press event. This unexpected behavior left fellow contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to continue interviews alone.
Witnesses described Thomas’ sudden actions as surprising and out of character, noting his initial excitement at being part of the show. The incident occurred when a journalist recorded Thomas without his consent, leading to his abrupt departure from the interview.
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