Thomas Skinner has launched a fierce defence against his critics after publicly revealing he cheated on his wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding, claiming he’s become “public enemy number one” and facing death threats as calls mount for him to be axed from Strictly Come Dancing.
The former Apprentice star, 34, released a lengthy statement on X addressing the backlash he’s faced since admitting to a “two-week fling” with beauty clinic boss Amy-Lucy O’Rourke three and a half years ago, describing the affair as the “biggest mistake of my life” and a “brief moment of madness” that nearly destroyed his marriage.
Mr Skinner revealed he met O’Rourke, 35, in a pub shortly after his May 2022 wedding and accepted free cosmetic treatments from her before embarking on what he called a “fling”, though O’Rourke’s spokesperson disputes this characterisation, insisting “she did not have a fling with Mr Skinner, she had a relationship with him” and claiming she was “deceived and then treated appallingly.”
Wife’s Forgiveness Changed His Life
In an emotional interview with The Sun on Sunday, Mr Skinner confessed he told his wife immediately after waking up feeling “absolutely terrible” about his actions. “My wife is the best thing that’s ever happened. I’m so lucky she forgave me. It was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do. It was terrible. I’m a very, very open book and I don’t hide anything from my wife,” he said.
He described Sinead’s reaction: “She was obviously distraught, upset. Didn’t think I’d do that to her. When I told my wife, I fully understood if she was to never speak to me again. No one else made me do what I’ve done. But it just shows something so brief could ruin your life.”
The couple, who share three children — five-year-old son Henry and two-year-old twin daughters Roma and Darla — have since rebuilt their relationship, with Mr Skinner crediting his wife’s forgiveness with transforming his life. “Since then, we’ve built a new home, had two more beautiful children, and moved forward together. We are stronger. Family is everything to me. It’s what I do everything for.”
Strictly Controversy Compounds Problems
The timing of the revelation has been particularly damaging for Mr Skinner, coming just days after he stormed out of a Strictly Come Dancing press event following an altercation with a female journalist. The businessman left the BBC event at Elstree Studios after becoming agitated when he spotted messages about his past on a reporter’s phone that was recording the interview.
“This is exactly what Strictly did not need,” one attendee told the Daily Mail. “With all the recent controversy, bosses wanted this series to be smooth sailing but Thomas is already causing havoc. It’s unprecedented for a celebrity to walk out of the show’s media launch day and bosses think it’s really bad form.”
Mr Skinner later apologised, explaining: “I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages — not about Strictly — but about a personal story from my past. I’ve been through some difficult times in my life, which I’ve worked hard to move on from. In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard.”
Backlash Over Political Views
The affair revelation adds to existing controversy surrounding Mr Skinner’s participation in Strictly, with the Trump-supporting businessman already facing criticism for his conservative political views and friendship with US Vice President JD Vance. Earlier this year, he attended a BBQ with Vance and posted photos of their meeting on social media, calling him a “proper gent.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie was forced to defend the decision to include Mr Skinner in the show, telling MPs: “Clearly, we wouldn’t take anyone whose views are just beyond the pale, or we would see as completely unacceptable or not suitable, racist views, all those things, we wouldn’t accept them. But that’s not the case here, from what I know.”
Criminal Past Resurfaces
Critics have also highlighted Mr Skinner’s criminal past, with some viewers complaining to Ofcom about his casting. In 2016, when he was 24, Mr Skinner was sentenced for handling stolen goods after purchasing 4,992 tubes of Body Shop cleansing gel and 2,000 diazepam tablets valued at nearly £40,000 from what he described as an “unreliable source.”
Speaking about the incident previously, Mr Skinner insisted: “I am a changed man. Many years ago before I had my business, I was young and naive and bought stock from someone I didn’t know. I wasn’t aware the stock was stolen and paid the consequences for the mistake I made.”
Death Threats and Family Attacks
In his statement addressing critics, Mr Skinner revealed the extent of abuse he’s faced: “I’ve taken an absolute battering online and in the press, and I’ll take more. I was told it would happen: first, they’ll attack my character, then my family, then my income. And it is happening firsthand.”
He continued: “Most of what’s said about me isn’t true. I’ve got thick skin and the abuse and death threats don’t bother me. In fact, some lies make me laugh. But please leave my wife and kids alone. I did this to them by a silly moment of madness over 3 years ago, and no one else. If you want to go for someone, go for me.”
The reality TV star claimed he’s “become a target” with “every part of my life being dragged out… even my families” and that “people around me have been offered BIG money to sell stories.
Defending His Right to Second Chances
Mr Skinner was defiant about his past mistakes, stating: “In my life… I’ve lost close friends. I’ve lost family. I’ve got mates doing life in prison. And yes, I’ve got an extremely chequered past… more than most. I’ve never shied away from that. I’ve made mistakes, and if you dig, you’ll find more.”
However, he argued: “Most people have made mistakes. It’s okay to own up to them, it’s okay to talk about them and people do deserve second chances.”
The businessman, who still runs his pillow company alongside his TV commitments, emphasised his working-class credentials: “I’m not some full-time celeb in a bubble. I still graft, I still go to work. In fact, I’ve been working this morning before I start strictly training.”
Humiliation for Wife
Mr Skinner expressed particular regret about the impact on his wife: “I’ve been forced into a corner to bring up something my wife and I have moved on from years ago. I feel so bad for my wife for having to do this. It’s humiliating for her.”
He questioned why there was such intense interest in his personal life: “I’m sure I’m gonna be forced to talk about other moments that have happened in my life. I’m not sure why everyone is so interested in me… But if I am completely honest… no one else’s opinions matter apart from those I care about.”
Moving Forward
Despite the controversy, Mr Skinner remains committed to appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, which begins on 20 September. He concluded his statement with a message of resilience: “At the end of the day, it’s about getting back up, rebuilding, and looking after the ones you love. And as long as I’ve got my family, I’ll never stop fighting to be a better man.”
The businessman signed off with his trademark catchphrase “Bosh,” maintaining his characteristic bravado despite the mounting pressure. Whether BBC bosses will stand by their controversial contestant remains to be seen, but Mr Skinner appears determined to weather the storm with his family by his side.
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