Strictly Come Dancing return has been swept up in scandal once again this year after Thomas Skinner stormed out of the series’ first press event earlier this month.
The Apprentice star has since found himself at the centre of headlines after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in May 2022. Claiming the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’.
And after Saturday’s launch it was revealed Thomas will be taking to the floor with Amy Dowden as the professional dancer makes her return to the dancefloor following her battle with breast cancer.
The Welsh dancer, 35, was partnered with JB Gill during last year’s series, however she sadly had to withdraw from the competition due to injury.
Thomas gave a shoutout to his three children and wife in his introduction video as he revealed they will be watching every week’s show at home.
Speaking to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman he admitted he feels like the ‘underdog’ of the competition: ‘I am buzzing to be here, what an opportunity.
Scandal hit Strictly RETURNS: Thomas Skinner’s dance partner is revealed as Amy Dowden as the Apprentice star hits the floor for the first time amid cheating scandal
‘I do feel like the underdog, as the only dancing I have done is at wedding’s after a couple of beers. But I will give it my best and I will learn.’
Dani Dyer and Lewis Cope became the first of this year’s celebrities to find out their professional dance partners in Saturday’s launch show.
The Love Island star, 29, is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin after she revealed her mother-in-law predicted who her dance partner would be.
The mum-of-three told the Daily Mail: ‘She said it would be one of two professionals, and she was spot on.’
As Nikita ran through the door she exclaimed: ‘I’m in shock. I just want to learn how to move the hips!’
Meanwhile Emmerdale star Lewis has been paired with Katya Jones after the actor was drafted in as a last minute replacement for Kristian Nair after he was forced to quit the show.
Ross King appeared overjoyed as he swept Jowita Przystał off her feet as he joked: ‘You drew the short straw and you drew the short Scottish person’ as his dancer was revealed.
Dani Dyer and Lewis Cope became the first of this year’s celebrities to find out their professional dance partners in Saturday’s launch show
The Love Island star, 29, is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin after she revealed her mother-in-law predicted who her dance partner would be
The gruelling BBC competition has faced scandal after scandal in recent years and this year’s series has been no different
La Voix will be dancing with Aljaž Škorjanec, after the drag performer joked that he was her ‘second choice’.
Pretending to storm out the room as Aljaž entered the room, she teased: ‘That’s not who I wanted’ before coming back in to give him a huge hug.
Rugby player Chris Robshaw will take to the floor with Nadiya Bychkova after the sports star admitted he was stepping well out of his “comfort zone” by signing up for the show.
He commented: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class.
‘Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.’
Vicky Pattison will take to the floor with Kai Widdrington after the star revealed she has no fear of the infamous Strictly curse after tying the knot with her husband Ercan Ramadan last year.
The presenter, who originally found fame on Geordie Shore back in 2011, revealed she manifested her spot on Strictly after she created a vision board.
Amid the pictures of ‘wedding dresses, engagement rings, puppies and houses’ was a picture of ex-Hollyoaks actress and 2017 Strictly star Gemma Atkinson in sequins with Vicky’s head stuck on top.
Emmerdale star Lewis has been paired with Katya Jones after the actor was drafted in as a last minute replacement for Kristian Nair
Ross King appeared overjoyed as he swept Jowita Przystał off her feet as he joked: ‘You drew the short straw and you drew the short Scottish person’ as his dancer was revealed
La Voix will be dancing with Aljaž Škorjanec, after the drag performer joked that he was her ‘second choice’
Rugby player Chris Robshaw will take to the floor with Nadiya Bychkova after the sports star admitted he was stepping well out of his “comfort zone” by signing up for the show
‘I feel like a proper creep,’ she laughs. ‘But I love a bit of manifestation.’
He lifted the glitterball trophy with Coronation Street star Ellie Leach back in 2023, and Vito Coppola will be hoping Ellie is his lucky charm after being paired with Ellie Goldstein for this year’s series.
Ellie is a model, actress and influencer who became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue.
She reassured Vito: ‘I can do the splits and cartwheels’.
Former Lioness Karen Carney will swap her football boots for dance shoes as she takes to the floor with Carlos Gu.
Meanwhile Alex Kingston is partnered fan favourite Johannes Radebe after she admitted he was the dancer she was hoping for.
‘He is my number one,’ she told Claudia Winkleman as the pair beamed together on the sofa.
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal will also take to the floor with one of this year’s new professionals Julian Caillon after she revealed he was in her ‘top three’ of male professionals.
‘I hope I was number one,’ joked the Australian dancer.
Vicky Pattison will take to the floor with Kai Widdrington after the star revealed she has no fear of the infamous Strictly curse after tying the knot with her husband Ercan Ramadan last year
Vito Coppola will be hoping Ellie is his lucky charm after being paired with Ellie Goldstein for this year’s series
Former Lioness Karen Carney will swap her football boots for dance shoes as she takes to the floor with Carlos Gu
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal will also take to the floor with one of this year’s new professionals Julian Caillon
The gruelling BBC competition has faced scandal after scandal in recent years and this year’s series has been no different.
Thomas has found himself at the centre of headlines this week after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in May 2022. Claiming the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’.
However ‘secret mistress’ Amy-Lucy O’Rourke later suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months, during which time he said he was in love with her and unhappy with his wife.
While Thomas’s ‘secret mistress’ has vowed to expose even more about their affair, the star addressed his 700,000 followers on Thursday, in which he referenced the ‘dark shadows’ of life.
Alongside a selfie, he penned: ‘Good Morning You Lovely People!!’.
Thomas continued: ‘Nice early start in the gym finishing up my work out and looking forward to another day of dancing with my wonderful Strictly partner.
‘Remeber [sic]….Never give up, because one day you will look back and be glad you didn’t!
‘Now go smash it! You are ten times stronger than you can ever imagine.
‘Make today your day!! Keep your face pointing to the sunshine and the dark shadows will always fall behind you! Bosh.’
Mere hours earlier, Amy-Lucy had insisted she wasn’t a ‘homewrecker’ after being targeted by trolls.
Meanwhile on her own Instagram Stories on Monday, the aesthetician said: ‘I just wanted to come on and say thank you to everyone for sending me really nice messages.’
