STRICTLY Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has revealed that he had terrifying death threats after meeting up with the vice-president of the United States JD Vance.
The American politician reached out to him after seeing his social media posts saying he admired his positive attitude for life.
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Tom Skinner, left, says he received death threats after he posted a snap of himself with US vice-president JD VanceCredit: Instagram
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The Apprentice star has confessed he has cheated on his wife SineadCredit: Instagram
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JD Vance invited Tom to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean ManorCredit: Getty
And he invited him to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean Manor near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.
But afterwards The Apprentice star and market stall holder proudly posted a photo of them together on social media – and received a shocking backlash.
In an exclusive interview he admits: “Since I posted that picture I’ve had loads of death threats. People saying they want me dead, saying I am this political figure that I’m actually not. I actually really ain’t. I couldn’t tell you what’s going on in the world right now.
“Now the left seems to be attacking me every day on social media. The right seems to see me as this figurehead and it’s all been a bit much for me, if I’m honest with you.
“I was getting death threats and people calling me controversial. I was thinking, what have I ever done? What have I ever said that’s controversial? When you actually go through my tweets, apart from saying that knife crime is bad in London, yeah?
“I’m not this political figurehead that people believe that’s got my hand.
“I’ve had loads of death threats over the years, you know.
“I didn’t see it as anything more than a barbecue, if I’m honest with you. But I’ve been turned into this political figure that I’m actually not.”
But the East Londoner does admit he was nervous after accepting the invite along with Cambridge academic James Orr and Tory MP Danny Kruger.
He said: “I was very nervous about it, I didn’t know what to wear. When I arrived he literally was like, ‘Why have you got a suit on?’
Strictly shock as Thomas Skinner STORMS OUT of launch in furious rage
“He was actually a normal bloke. We spoke about English cheese being so much better than American cheese, West Ham United and how they call football ‘soccer’.”
Fry-up fan Thomas was blown away by the food, laid on by the local pub, describing it as “the b******s.”
He said: “There was a pub in the town, and Jay wanted to go to a traditional English pub, but he knew by going to this pub it would obviously have to shut, because I’ve never seen so many security guys in my life… a proper entourage… he didn’t want it to affect the locals.
“So he asked the pub if they would kindly – he paid them a lot of money – bring some of their staff to cook at the place, and they did, they actually left this beautiful pub in the Cotswolds, they’d come round to the garden, and they cooked this fantastic spread, it was steaks, kebabs, halloumi, honestly it was unreal. Everyone was really friendly.”
He didn’t take pictures, he says, because he didn’t want to “disturb his privacy”.
Joking, he adds: “When Trump comes he might invite me to a BBQ too.”
NO REGRETS
Despite the furore online Thomas insists he doesn’t regret posting the picture. He said: “I don’t regret it, I am a normal bloke and it was an amazing opportunity.
“Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do? You’re a normal person. And, I’ve been given this opportunity to sit with the Vice President of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America. To me that was, “Wow’.
“And I would have gone, whether it was the leader of France, Germany, I think to sit there and learn, and experience that, whether you agree with him politically or not, it wasn’t about that for me, it was literally to say, ‘I’ve sat there and met the Vice President of the United States of America’.”
Sinead has been by his side since they got together nearly a decade ago.
Thomas began working part time as a market trader at 13 after being expelled from school. He found several businesses before starring on The Apprentice in 2019 after Sinead encouraged him to apply.
But he is also known for his motivational videos on social media where he shares his love of kebabs and pints.
It was his conservative political views that led to US Vice President JD Vance actually getting in touch with him.
SPREADS POSITIVITY
He says he loves spreading positivity.
He said: “Even when JD Vance sent me a DM, he was like, ‘Look I love your energy, keep it up, I love seeing the high energy and the positivity you spread’.
“Which is literally all I do, all I do is share videos of me having a roast dinner, and do a morning video to say, ‘Have a good day’, because I know what it’s like to wake up and feel like you can’t do this. I’ve been there, and that’s why I won’t ever give up spreading the positivity.”
Throughout the ups and down in his life Sinead – who he dubs Super sensible Sinéad – has been at his side throughout.
He admits the past few weeks have been tough and he has struggled with the public scrutiny.
He said: “It does affect you. I’ve always put on this brave face. But it’s alright to be vulnerable and be down and be upset. There are times I’ve felt low.”
CLOSE PALS WITH RYLAN CLARK
His close pal Rylan Clark also faced backlash recently over his views on migrant hotels which sparked over 700 Ofcom complaints.
Thomas said: “Rylan has been a friend of mine since I was a teenager. I love him. He’s a family friend, he comes to our family events. I go round to his and I bring him round to ours.
“He’s a top guy. And the thing that I just worry about is nowadays, whether someone’s got a different opinion to you, or you say something that might be slightly incorrect or you don’t agree with, everyone should be allowed to have their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to express it and argue it and talk about it.
“But if your opinion is different to someone else’s, people shouldn’t be able to attack you and ram it down your throat, and I think that’s wrong, if I’m honest with you.
“Poor old Rylan got a bashing, and obviously I know what it feels like, because I’ve had a bashing in the last couple of years.”
What Rylan said was: “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in? But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?
“I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel like they are. But when they get here, it seems, ‘Welcome, come on in’.”
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Tom says he doesn’t deserve the backlash against himCredit: Twitter/@iamtomskinner
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The TV celebrity is now putting on his dancing shoes for BBC’s hit show Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBC
He later said he was angry at being “put in a box” over his opinions and called for more intelligent debate. Rylan posted on X: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women.
“You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”
Thomas says the pressure that he and other celebrities receive due to fame can be hard to deal with.
And key to helping keep his mental health stable is the group of friends from the market that he still meets every Friday for “a pint”.
He said: “I think that’s so important, they think it’s funny I’m going on Strictly.
“Every Friday, and I’ve done this for years, you know, since I started out, no matter what, me and my group of little pals have a pint on a Friday afternoon.
“Some of us could be skint on our arse, some of us could be flying, we’re all having the same beer, in the same circle, talking the same thing, and we always, we always talk about what’s been a bad week, sad week, a happy week, a good week, a great week, and we all support each other, and I think that’s so important.”
And his biggest fan – his mum couldn’t be prouder.
Both his parents still work and are real “grafters” – which is where he says he gets his work ethic from.
His mum works in a call centre – but until this week hadn’t revealed who her famous son was, because she says they “never asked”.
He said: “She’s one of the people, when your boiler goes, she’ll ring up, my mum’s the one that you abuse on the phone saying, ‘My boilers gone,” she’s got one of the hardest jobs in the world. bless her.
“When she asked for the day off she said her son was on Strictly. They said, ‘What who’s your son? What do you mean?’ She showed them a picture of me.”
Her son is still a market trader with his own stall selling mattresses and pillows. He survives on just five hours sleep a night and even when rehearsing for the BBC show he says he will set up his stall first.
He still loves his work and feels proud to be helping Britain’s High Street.
Thomas said: “I’m going to try and set up at 6am. Markets help the shops, but then the shops are suffering, the high street’s dying.”
One thing that isn’t dying is his fan base.
Thomas confesses that he has been inundated with direct messages from celebrities on social media offering support for the new dance show.
He said: “I’ve had hundreds of messages, footballers, TV stars, all sorts.
“But I don’t think it’s fair to say who, because they’ve said that to me confidentially, and I respect that.
“People like my energy and the positivity I spread, which is literally all I do.”
Thomas has experienced financial highs and lows, and even homelessness.
He said: “I know what it’s like to have a few quid in my pocket, when everything’s going well, and your business is flying, and you’ve got everyone around you.
“But I also know what it’s like to be on your a***, not having anywhere to live, and not knowing how you’re going to pay your next bill. I’ve been at both spectrums.
“It’s taught me to be strong, and taught me to try and help other people, because life can be so hard.”
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Tom says he’s had ‘loads of death threats’ over the yearsCredit: Louis Wood
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Tom first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has gone on to star in on Celebrity MasterChef, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Michael McIntyre’s Big ShowCredit: Getty
Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder got emotional as they discussed having kids on the new series of their BBC show Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India, where they travel across the unique country
07:00, 14 Sep 2025Updated 07:06, 14 Sep 2025
Rob and Rylan both made emotional admissions about having kids(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Rex TV, Zinc Media/Jakob Borges)
Rylan Clark has revealed more about his desire to have children amid his new romance with a fairground worker. It was recently revealed that Rylan is dating a new man, four years on from his split from his husband Dan.
Teasing the new romance, Rylan revealed: “At this time I’m very happy. Recently I have gotten into a relationship and it’s great. And it feels very different to anything I’ve had before, which is a good sign to me.”
He didn’t reveal who it was but the man is believed to be called Kennedy and the pair are said to have become “inseparable” this summer and have already met each others families.
Rylan Clark and his new funfair worker boyfriend have already had deep conversations (Image: Instagram/naderdt)
Rylan and Rob discussed kids in their new show(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
Speaking in an emotional chat on their show Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India, the former X Factor star explained: “What this trip has done is invigorate in my head how important family is. I want one day, fingers crossed, to have kids. What about you?”
“Don’t forget, I’m older than you. It’s quite a lot [older]. So when I was coming out, it wasn’t a possibility and I’ve got to a stage now where I’m so set in my ways…,” Rob then replied as Rylan quizzed what would happen if he met the right man tomorrow.
Rob then admitted: “I just think I’d be too afraid – I don’t think I’m good enough,” before Rylan added: “Let me tell you one thing, you are good enough. But it’s alright not to want kids. It’s just always been my plan. Get the husband, get the Range Rover, get the kids.
The Good Morning Britain star admitted he feared he was too “selfish” to raise kids. Rylan replied: “But I think the second, you had kids you’d change … You know what Rob, you’d never feel love like it.”
“As long as they were kind and had nice manners,” Rob added, with Rylan then quipping: “They would be because they’d be raised by you – and me probably,” as he joked about being uncle Rylan.
Meanwhile, Rylan has been forced to deny he and Rob are dating. He said: “Like, so many people keep asking, everyone keeps asking me – because there’s all these fake news stories about me and Rob Rinder – we’ve gotten married and all of this. Rob’s my friend. I adore him, and Rob and Rylan’s just about to come out again, and I just thought, ‘Let’s just put the record straight.'”
Contestants appear completely naked. The divisive dating programme originally launched in America where it proved popular with fans before making its way to Paramount+.
And it has sparked fierce debate upon its British launch due to participants appearing entirely naked. A second series is now approaching, and supporters won’t be waiting much longer as Paramount+ has given a major release date update.
Dating Naked divided opinions after its release(Image: Paramount+)
Dating Naked UK’s second season will debut its first two episodes on Paramount+ on August 29. From then, two instalments will drop each week, totalling 10 hour-long programmes.
Presenter Rylan will once again take charge as ten fresh singles strip off in pursuit of romance. Paramount+ hints: “The UK’s most drawer-dropping dating show is back! Guided by host Rylan, ten new singles are ready to shed their inhibitions and their clothes, in their search for true love.”
It was previously reported that the reality dating programme had relocated for its latest run, now filming in Panama, Central America. Host Rylan earlier revealed to the Daily Star: “There are going to be some big changes.
“It’s really exciting. The location is changing. What we’ve got lined up is going to be brilliant. There will be lots of twists and turns.
Rylan will return as host for season 2(Image: Joe Maher/Getty Images)
“If the daters watched the first season and think they know how the show works, they’re wrong. We want to keep them on their toes. We don’t want them to know what’s coming next”.
The debut series of the provocative programme quickly became a fan favourite and one of the most-watched shows on Paramount+.
On IMDB, an enthusiast commented: “Maybe it’s just the fact that the way show everything but I like this much better than other similar shows with clothes. Them being nude adds a humorous side and it’s intriguing to see how they behave.”
Another viewer expressed: “I watched it because it was controversial, and surprisingly I enjoyed this show.”
You can catch up with Dating Naked season one on Paramount Plus or stream it on Prime Video.
Dating Naked UK season 2 hits screens on August 29 on Paramount+.
Taskmaster creator Alex Horne has teased a new series of the Bafta-winning Channel 4 comedy.
Alex Horne has dropped a major hint about Taskmaster season 21(Image: Rob Parfitt / Channel 4)
Taskmaster creator Alex Horne has teased big changes in store for the Channel 4 programme’s 21st season.
For the uninitiated, the long-running comedy series sees a batch of five celebrities pitted against each other as they take on various bizarre tasks to be crowned the winner.
From filling an egg cup with their own tears, attempting to make a bridge out of straws, rubbers and chewing gum, to hula hooping on stage in front of a live audience, or making a creepy nursery rhyme, Taskmaster really has seen it all.
The series, hosted by Greg Davies and “Little” Alex Horne as his assistant, first aired in 2019, and over that time has seen more than a hundred celebrities take part, including Munya Chawawa, Judi Love, Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan and Bob Mortimer.
The latest season featured Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Matthew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey and Stevie Martin battle it out, with Ghosts actor Mathew crowned the winner.
And although season 20’s line-up has only just been announced, with the series yet to air later this year, Alex has already teased the following instalment.
Taskmaster season 20 has yet to air, though the cast has been revealed(Image: Channel 4)
In an interview with Radio Times , he shared: “There are two things that are new. We’re filming somewhere as well as the house – somewhere that’s pretty mad.”
He then added: “And we have a special guest this series from somewhere exotic who you’ll recognise. That’s all I can say.”
He went on to tell the publication: “20’s coming out soon. All going well. We’re just in the middle of filming the next one and I’m still enjoying it. I’m still weirdly finding it exciting.”
Though there’s no telling who that could be, fans were left delighted when the season 20 line-up dropped.
Horrible Histories actor Mathew Baynton was crowned champion of season 19(Image: Lion Television/BBC)
It will see Ania Magliano, Maisie Adam, Phil Ellis, Reece Shearsmith and Sanjeev Bhaskar go head to head to be named champion, while a New Year ’s special is also presumed to air, with past specials having seen the likes of Claudia Winkleman, Sir Mo Farah, Carol Vorderman, Martin Lewis and Rylan Clark take part.
After a teaser showing the five new comedians filming a task for season 20, as part of the line-up announcement, fans were left delighted.
One wrote: “My prayers have been answered I have wanted maisie adam on taskmaster for so long.”
Another said: “Oh this is going to be GOOD!!”
“FINALLY REECE OH MY GOD IVE WAITED MY WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS,” a fourth commented.
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Meanwhile, Horrible Histories star Mathew reflected on his win in a recent interview with Metro, and revealed his plans to return.
“I’m just really happy. I was having so much fun…,” he shared.
After a suggestion of returning for the Champion of Champions series, which has the previous winners battle it out against each other, he added: “I did start thinking, oh, it would be really nice [to win] because winning means a repeat of the experience. The number one thing about winning is thinking, Oh, great, I get to go back.
“I guess the only sadness about getting to go back is that I won’t be sat with those guys [the season 19 contestants] because they were so much fun.”
