Kerry Katona has expressed criticism towards Thomas Skinner, a new participant on Strictly Come Dancing, for his actions during a recent interview where he took a journalist’s phone and abruptly left. The incident occurred while Skinner, 34, was being interviewed with other contestants at BBC’s Elstree Studios.
The contestant seized a reporter’s phone when asked a question, causing a stir among the journalists present. Skinner was accompanied by fellow contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. A female reporter inquired about his motivation for joining Strictly, which led Skinner to notice he was being recorded on a phone during the press session.
Reacting to this, he demanded to know what was happening and then took the woman’s phone from the table. Following the incident, Skinner faced backlash, with Kerry Katona sharing her thoughts on the matter in her column for new! magazine.
In response to the incident, Skinner took to his Instagram Stories to explain his side of the story. He clarified that during the interview, he noticed personal messages on the journalist’s phone that caught him off guard, prompting him to step away to compose himself. Skinner emphasized that his actions were not related to Strictly or the interviews themselves and expressed excitement about being part of the show.
He apologized for picking up the phone, highlighting that he did not intend to insinuate any ill intent on the journalist’s part. Skinner expressed gratitude for the support he has received and his eagerness to showcase his best on the dance floor.