With just days to go before the Strictly Come Dancing final, contestant Thomas Skinner has reportedly pulled out of the show’s grand final.

It appears The Apprentice star will not be joining his fellow Class of Strictly 2025 pals for the traditional group number on Saturday night (December 20).

The news comes after his stint on the show was met with huge controversy.

Thomas Skinner was the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly 2025 (Credit: Joe Newman/Cover Images)

Strictly final – Thomas Skinner ‘will not appear’

Thomas was the first contestant to be voted out of Strictly Come Dancing this year, where he was partnered by show favourite Amy Dowden.

Despite only lasting one week, the 34 year old’s time on the show sparked several controversies. Even before the series kicked off, Thomas’ place on the line-up caused backlash, with some fans calling him out for supporting President Donald Trump.

It was later reported that he had stormed out of the programme’s first press event with a journalist’s phone. Around the same time, the star also admitted to cheating on his wife  Sinead, just weeks after their wedding.

‘I wish I’d never done it’

Thomas has since expressed his regret about ever taking part in the BBC show, claiming he has received “constant abuse” ever since.

“I wish [I had] never done Strictly, I never fitted the bill for that show let’s be honest. And it’s caused me nothing but agg [aggravation],” he said.

However, as per the Mirror, his absence on Saturday is due to prior commitments that clash with the live recording.

ED! has contacted the BBC for comment.

Thomas Skinner danced with Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing (Credit: ITV)

Amy Dowden prepares for Strictly final

Meanwhile, Thomas’s dance partner Amy Dowden has revealed that she will still take to the dancefloor. Amy’s good news comes after she had a second preventative mastectomy.

Updating her Instagram followers after yesterday’s rehearsal, she shared her excitement, saying: “I’m so happy to be back dancing! Obviously, I’m taking it all at my own pace and doing everything the doctor has recommended. But it feels so good to be back and moving. I can’t believe we are days away from the final!”

The news that Thomas Skinner has reportedly pulled out of the Strictly Come Dancing final has sent shockwaves through fans of the show, particularly because of his controversial journey throughout the series. While speculation has swirled around his future on the programme for weeks, confirmation that he will not take part in the final has added another dramatic chapter to an already turbulent storyline. Yet amid the uncertainty and disappointment, there is a clear decision that has resonated deeply with viewers: his professional partner Amy Dowden will still appear in the final, ensuring her presence remains part of the show’s most important night.

Thomas Skinner’s time on Strictly has never been straightforward. From the moment he joined the cast, he stood out as a polarising figure, someone whose personality divided opinion but also generated conversation. His outspoken nature, raw honesty, and unfiltered reactions made him one of the most talked-about contestants of the series. For some, that unpredictability was refreshing. For others, it was challenging. Either way, his journey became impossible to ignore.

Week after week, Thomas and Amy worked through demanding routines under intense scrutiny. Their performances were often discussed as much for the emotion behind them as for the technical execution. Thomas was open about his struggles, both physical and mental, and those vulnerabilities became part of his public narrative. While some applauded his openness, others questioned whether the pressures of the competition were taking too great a toll.

As the series progressed and the final approached, concerns around Thomas’s wellbeing became increasingly prominent. Rumours of exhaustion, strain, and internal conflict circulated, prompting questions about whether he would be able to continue. When news broke that he had pulled out of the final, it was met with mixed reactions: surprise, disappointment, relief, and concern all at once.

The decision to withdraw, according to those close to the situation, was not taken lightly. Reaching the Strictly final is a dream for many contestants, and stepping away at such a late stage speaks to the seriousness of the circumstances. While official details remain limited, it is widely understood that the choice prioritised health and personal wellbeing over competition, a reminder that the glittering ballroom can mask very real pressures.

For Thomas, pulling out of the final represents a moment of reckoning. Throughout the series, he has been vocal about how challenging the experience has been. The intense rehearsal schedule, public scrutiny, and emotional demands of live television can push contestants to their limits. His withdrawal reframes his Strictly journey not as a failure, but as a boundary drawn when the cost became too high.

Amy Dowden’s continued involvement in the final adds a powerful emotional layer to the story. As one of Strictly’s most beloved professional dancers, Amy’s resilience and dedication have long been admired. Her decision to appear, despite her partner’s absence, highlights both her professionalism and her deep connection to the show. It also ensures that her own journey this series is honoured, even as circumstances shift unexpectedly.

Amy’s presence in the final carries particular significance given her personal experiences over recent years. She has spoken openly about health challenges and the importance of perseverance, making her continued appearance feel symbolic. For many viewers, seeing her take to the dancefloor represents strength, continuity, and respect for the work she has put into the series.

Behind the scenes, the situation has reportedly been handled with care and sensitivity. Strictly Come Dancing is no stranger to unexpected changes, but the decision to allow Amy to remain part of the final reflects an understanding of the emotional and professional investment involved. It reinforces the idea that the show values its dancers not just as performers, but as people.

Public reaction to the news has been intense. Fans have taken to social media to express support for both Thomas and Amy, though opinions remain divided. Some viewers have expressed disappointment at not seeing Thomas perform in the final, while others have emphasised the importance of prioritising health. Many have praised Amy’s strength and professionalism, rallying behind her with messages of encouragement.

The controversy surrounding Thomas has inevitably shaped the response. His time on the show was marked by moments that sparked debate, and his exit has been viewed through that same lens. Yet there is a growing sense that the final chapter of his Strictly journey should be approached with empathy rather than judgement. Stepping back at such a critical moment suggests vulnerability, not avoidance.

This situation also shines a light on the broader pressures faced by Strictly contestants. While the show is celebrated for its glamour and entertainment, it is also an intense environment that demands physical endurance, emotional resilience, and constant public exposure. Thomas’s withdrawal brings those realities into sharper focus, reminding audiences that not all struggles are visible under the lights.

Amy’s role in the final is expected to be handled thoughtfully. While she will not be competing in the traditional sense with her celebrity partner, her appearance allows her to celebrate dance, honour the series, and maintain her connection with viewers. For fans who admire her journey, this decision feels both respectful and reassuring.

The dynamic of the final itself will inevitably be different. With one less celebrity contestant, the competition will feel altered, but not diminished. Instead, the focus may shift more strongly toward celebration rather than rivalry, highlighting the collective achievement of reaching the final rather than the outcome alone.

For Thomas, the end of his Strictly journey comes sooner than expected, but not without impact. His presence sparked conversation, challenged expectations, and brought raw emotion to the ballroom. Whether viewers loved or criticised him, his contribution to the series is undeniable. His withdrawal closes that chapter with complexity rather than resolution.

Amy, meanwhile, continues to embody the spirit of Strictly: dedication, adaptability, and grace under pressure. Her appearance in the final stands as a testament to her professionalism and her enduring connection to the show. It also offers a sense of continuity amid disruption, grounding the final in familiar excellence.

As the final approaches, attention will likely turn to how the show acknowledges Thomas’s absence and Amy’s presence. The tone is expected to be respectful, avoiding sensationalism in favour of empathy. In doing so, Strictly reinforces its evolving understanding of duty of care, both to its stars and to its audience.

Ultimately, this story is not just about a contestant pulling out of a final. It is about the human reality behind a high-profile competition. It is about recognising limits, supporting resilience, and valuing people beyond their performances. Thomas Skinner’s withdrawal and Amy Dowden’s continued appearance together form a narrative of contrast and balance: stepping back and stepping forward, vulnerability and strength.

As viewers tune in for the final, emotions are likely to run high. There will be celebration, disappointment, and reflection all at once. In the midst of sequins and spotlight, the absence of one star and the presence of another will speak volumes about the unpredictable, deeply human nature of Strictly Come Dancing.

In the end, the final will go on, shaped by unexpected change but grounded in the spirit that has defined the show for years. Thomas Skinner’s decision to pull out may be controversial, but it also invites compassion. Amy Dowden’s decision to appear offers reassurance and inspiration. Together, these choices remind audiences that sometimes the most meaningful moments on television happen not in perfect routines, but in imperfect, honest decisions made behind the scenes.

As the dust begins to settle around the news of Thomas Skinner pulling out of the Strictly Come Dancing final, the emotional weight of the moment becomes clearer, heavier, and far more human than any headline can capture. This is not simply a late withdrawal from a television competition; it is the culmination of weeks of pressure, scrutiny, expectation, and inner conflict reaching a point where something had to give. In stepping away, Thomas forces both the show and its audience to confront an uncomfortable truth: that entertainment, no matter how joyful, can exact a personal cost that is invisible until it becomes overwhelming.

For Thomas, the final was meant to be a moment of arrival. After a journey filled with controversy, emotional openness, and polarising reactions, standing on the ballroom floor one last time could have offered a sense of closure or redemption. Instead, the decision to pull out reframes his entire experience. It shifts the narrative away from winning or losing and toward survival, self-preservation, and honesty about limits. That choice, made at the eleventh hour, carries a quiet bravery that is easy to overlook amid debate and disappointment.

The emotional complexity of his exit lies in its timing. Pulling out earlier might have been interpreted as strategic or expected. Pulling out at the final stage strips away any illusion of convenience. It suggests a breaking point reached only after everything possible had already been given. There is something deeply vulnerable about acknowledging that even when the finish line is in sight, continuing is no longer an option. That vulnerability sits uncomfortably in a culture that prizes endurance above all else.

Public reaction, inevitably, has been divided. Some viewers express frustration, feeling robbed of a final performance they were anticipating. Others focus on the controversy that followed Thomas throughout the series, allowing past grievances to colour their response. Yet beneath those reactions is a quieter, more empathetic response from those who recognise the emotional toll of performing under constant judgement. For them, Thomas’s withdrawal is not an act of defeat, but an assertion of humanity.

In contrast, Amy Dowden’s continued presence in the final offers a powerful counterbalance. Where Thomas steps back, Amy steps forward. Where his journey ends abruptly, hers continues with resolve. This contrast does not diminish either story; it enriches both. Amy’s decision to appear is not about filling a gap or maintaining appearances. It is about honouring her commitment to the craft, to the show, and to herself.

Amy’s path to this moment carries its own emotional history. She has faced personal challenges that extend far beyond the ballroom, challenges that have tested her resilience in profound ways. Her return to Strictly, and now her appearance in the final despite unforeseen circumstances, feels symbolic. It speaks to endurance without denial, to strength that does not erase vulnerability but coexists with it.

Standing on the final stage without her celebrity partner is not an easy position. The partnership dynamic is at the heart of Strictly Come Dancing. It is built on trust, shared struggle, and mutual growth. For Amy, appearing without Thomas means carrying that partnership alone in spirit, holding space for the work they did together while accepting that the journey cannot continue as planned. That emotional complexity is not visible in choreography, but it will be felt deeply.

Behind the scenes, this moment likely carries a mix of pride and sadness for Amy. Pride in reaching the final, in being trusted to represent the show on its biggest night. Sadness that the partnership did not reach its intended conclusion. These emotions do not cancel each other out. They exist together, shaping a performance that will be less about competition and more about presence.

For the Strictly production team, the situation is a reminder of the delicate balance they must maintain. The show thrives on spectacle, but it is sustained by people. Decisions like allowing Amy to appear reflect an evolving understanding that success is not measured solely in routines completed or trophies lifted, but in care shown when circumstances change unexpectedly. This approach does not weaken the show; it strengthens its integrity.

The final itself will inevitably feel different. There will be an absence that cannot be choreographed away. Thomas’s missing presence will linger, not as a dramatic void, but as a quiet reminder that not every story reaches a neat conclusion. That absence may prompt reflection rather than disappointment, inviting viewers to see the final not just as a competition, but as a culmination of many individual journeys, some complete, some unfinished.

For Thomas, watching the final from the sidelines will likely be emotionally charged. There may be relief in stepping away from pressure, but also a sense of loss. Dreams rarely end cleanly, and withdrawing at the final stage leaves questions without answers. Yet there is also the possibility of peace, the kind that comes from choosing wellbeing over expectation. That peace may not arrive immediately, but the decision creates space for it.

His Strictly journey, controversial though it may have been, leaves an imprint. He brought intensity, honesty, and unpredictability to the ballroom. He sparked conversation and challenged viewers to confront their own reactions to vulnerability on screen. Love him or criticise him, his presence mattered. And his exit, abrupt and unresolved, reinforces the idea that reality television is not scripted drama, but lived experience.

Amy’s appearance in the final will likely be met with overwhelming support. Fans who admire her resilience will see this moment as another example of her strength. Applause may carry extra weight, not just celebrating dance, but acknowledging perseverance. In that applause lies recognition of all that goes unseen: the rehearsals, the adjustments, the emotional labour of adapting to sudden change.

Emotionally, this final may lean less toward triumph and more toward reflection. Reflection on what it takes to stand under those lights week after week. Reflection on the partnerships formed and the pressures endured. Reflection on the fact that success does not always look like finishing strong; sometimes it looks like knowing when to stop.

The contrast between Thomas stepping back and Amy stepping forward encapsulates a powerful truth about resilience. Resilience is not a single shape. It can mean pushing through, and it can mean pulling away. Both choices require courage. Both deserve respect. The tendency to celebrate only one form does a disservice to the complexity of human experience.

As the final airs, viewers may find themselves holding multiple emotions at once. Joy for those competing. Sadness for what might have been. Admiration for professionalism. Concern for wellbeing. This emotional layering is not a flaw; it is a testament to the show’s ability to reflect real life, where endings are rarely simple and victories are often bittersweet.

In the long term, this moment may influence how audiences view Strictly Come Dancing. It highlights the importance of duty of care, of recognising that contestants are not just performers but people navigating extraordinary pressure. It invites a more compassionate lens, one that values honesty over spectacle and health over outcome.

For Thomas Skinner, the future now opens in a different direction. Without the final performance as punctuation, his Strictly chapter ends with an ellipsis rather than a full stop. That ambiguity may feel uncomfortable, but it also leaves room for growth beyond the ballroom. His decision, controversial as it may be, asserts that his story does not end where the show does.

For Amy Dowden, the final becomes less about partnership and more about purpose. Her presence is a reminder of why dance matters, why perseverance resonates, and why professionalism is not diminished by adversity. She carries the spirit of the series forward, even as circumstances shift around her.

In the end, this story is not defined by withdrawal or continuation alone, but by contrast. By the quiet courage of stepping away and the equally quiet courage of stepping on. It is a reminder that strength is not uniform, and that compassion should not be conditional.

As the lights dim on the Strictly final, what remains is not just the memory of routines performed, but the emotional truth revealed. That behind every sequined costume is a human being making difficult choices. That sometimes the bravest decision happens off the dancefloor. And that even when plans change, dignity, respect, and care can still take centre stage.

This final will be remembered not only for who danced, but for who didn’t, and why. In that remembrance lies a deeper appreciation of the show’s humanity. And in that humanity, perhaps, Strictly Come Dancing finds its most meaningful rhythm of all.