Narinder Kaur has questioned the BBC casting Thomas Skinner on Strictly Come Dancing.
This week the line-up for the upcoming season of the long-running series was released, with some of the celebrities taking part including Vicky Pattison, Dani Dyer and Alex Kingston.
Yesterday it was also announced that former The Apprentice star Thomas, 34, had signed up.
‘I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!’ he said.
‘I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
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However, his casting has caused some backlash, including from TV star Narinder, who also claimed she was told that she was ‘too controversial’ for the show herself.
In the caption of a video posted to X, the Jeremy Vine panellist and former Big Brother star, 52, said: ‘Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box.
‘But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you’ll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!!’
In a statement, she added: ‘There’s only so much you can say in a short video, but I felt something many others have been feeling all day and that was complete shock and utter bewilderment – to see Thomas be announced in the line-up, considering all the rhetoric about how people with right-wing opinions are cancelled and not allowed on the BBC.
‘I’ve debated Tom on Good Morning Britain before, I supported his book release at his launch party, there is a huge disparity in what certain demographics of people are allowed to say and still get one show after another.
‘I met the Strictly team at the TV Choice Awards earlier this year and got talking to one of the bookers about the show generally – and she said, “You’re a bit too controversial and we can’t have that for the show”,’ she added.
Soon after Skinner replied directly to her post. ‘Narinder, I respect that you stand up for what you believe in, not everyone’s got the guts to do that. Yes, I’ve got a past, but I’m not here to divide people. I’m just trying to get people to believe in themselves and realise they can do more than they think.
‘Life can be so much better when you let happiness in and don’t always be angry towards others. If I’ve ever upset you, I’m sorry… that’s never been my intention. I wish ya nothing but peace, happiness, and a life you can truly enjoy. Bosh.’
He also addressed the backlash from the public, writing: ‘They say don’t read the comments on social media. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve had absolute pellets all day on my Instagram about going on Strictly. Why are some people so angry that don’t even know me.’
In recent weeks Skinner claimed he’d faced ‘death threats’ and ‘vile comments’ about his children after sharing a series of posts on social media in which he said, ‘something’s gone wrong’ in the UK, and that ‘there is nothing wrong with being proud of where you’re from’.
He also sparked criticism for writing that it ‘was not far-right’ to be ‘flying your flag and loving your country’. The TV star and businessman said that London was ‘hostile’, ‘tense’ and ‘not safe out there anymore’.
Earlier this week he also met US vice president JD Vance, who is currently holidaying in the Cotswolds.
During the 2024 United States presidential election, Skinner expressed support for Republican candidate Donald Trump. I love Trump I think he is brilliant, that’s my opinion. I think it’s good he is back in charge, it will be good for the UK economy,’ he said.
Since appearing on The Apprentice in 2019, Skinner has also appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain, Faking It, and Celebrity MasterChef.
Metro has contacted the BBC for comment.
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