It has been a tumultuous week for Strictly Come Dancing’s Thomas Skinner.
But despite the former Apprentice star and friend of US Vice-President JD Vance confessing to his wife Sinead that he had had an affair just weeks after their wedding, she was there to support him as he made his debut on the BBC show.
Friends of Skinner have told The Mail on Sunday that Sinead plans to cheer on her husband throughout the series, despite revelations that he cheated on her with aesthetician Amy-Lucy O’Rourke in the summer of 2022.
Despite his cheeky-chappy bravado, the father of three said that he was ‘very nervous’ about taking part in Strictly, but thrilled last night to be paired with Amy Dowden.
The Welsh dancer, 35, was diagnosed with grade-three breast cancer in May 2023 and returned to the Strictly cast last series after undergoing chemotherapy. However, she was forced to pull out when she was paired with boyband singer JB Gill, after suffering a stress fracture in her leg.
The fact that BBC bosses have paired Ms Dowden with Skinner is a sign, show insiders say, that they are keen for him to win.
A friend of Skinner’s told The Mail on Sunday: ‘He is terrified, absolutely terrified of dancing. He had no idea how good or bad he might be.
‘He is actually very naïve and very nervous of it all, so the fact that Sinead has been there to support him is a huge help and will keep him going.
‘It is especially decent of her given what Thomas put her through. But he has also now got one of the best high-profile pros. It’s a huge sign that the BBC are behind him.’
Last night, in a pre-recorded clip, Skinner revealed that he had decided to take part in the much-loved series for his children – but was sure they would be ‘laughing’ at him.
‘I’ve zero dance experience, but I’m going to throw myself into this and give it 110 per cent,’ he added.
He also admitted that the process was making him ‘a little bit shaky’. ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be here,’ he said. ‘What an opportunity.
‘I did think it would be: Saturday, wake up, go down the market, West Ham are playing the game, fly down here, do a bit of dancing.
‘I have since found out it’s a little bit more than that.’
Of being partnered with Ms Dowden, he said: ‘I’m over the moon. Amy is a legend, she’s inspirational.’
Addressing her, he added: ‘I hope you can teach me a few moves because I’m useless at the minute.’
Meanwhile, Dianne Buswell – who has been partnered with Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis – became the show’s first-ever pregnant professional, though her bump was hidden by tassels on her sparkling dress.
Actress Alex Kingston, who played Dr Elizabeth Corday in the hit American medical drama ER, was paired with Johannes Radebe, while former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw will be dancing with Nadiya Bychkova. Love Island star Dani Dyer was paired with Nikita Kuzmin.
The programme’s first Down’s syndrome contestant Ellie Goldstein is with Vito Coppola, drag queen La Voix is with heart throb Aljaz Skorjanec, and Emmerdale hunk Lewis Cope has been partnered with Katya Jones.
