Thomas Skinner says 500 fans queued up for selfies with him after slamming Strictly trolls

Thomas Skinner has claimed he had “over 500” West Ham fans queuing up for selfies at a recent game because he has such strong support for Strictly Come Dancing.

The 34-year-old former star of The Apprentice is a controversial inclusion on the BBC dancing contest this year.

Put he insists he is still popular and has plenty of people who want to see him lift the Glitterball.

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Skinner told Radio Times: “I went to West Ham last week, and at least 500 people were queuing up to have a selfie or to wish me good luck. There were people going, ‘I’ve never watched Strictly before, but I’ll watch it because of you.’ I’m going to do it for the dads with the beer bellies.”

Speaking on X at the weekend, Skinner insisted he was loving training with pro partner Amy Dowden. They were officially unveiled as a dancing couple this weekend on the launch show and Amy spoke of her joy at working together in instagram.

Replying to Amy’s post, Skinner said: "Really really enjoyed training with you this week. You are honestly an amazing person and everything you have been through.... Shows how strong and inspiring you are. "

"I promise I won't let you down," he told his partner. "I might not be the best dancer. But I promise I'll be the hardest worker.

"Thank you for being so kind and lovely to me and I've enjoyed your company so much. I ain't stopped laughing with ya. Can't wait to get on that dance floor with ya next week.”

Skinner Thomas raised eyebrows with questions about his political leanings after he was pictured cosying up to US Vice President JD Vance - with many questioning if he was the right choice for the BBC family show.

Taking to X hours after the Strictly launch show aired on Saturday night, Thomas said he had seen people were 'fuming' he was on the line-up - but said the hate was only making him more determined to stay.

Addressing the backlash to his affair, Thomas said he was speaking out as his 'poor wife' was heartbroken to have to relive it as his time on Strictly put him under a huge spotlight.

He posted: "Life ain't easy. I've been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain't always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance....its gone crazy. Certain people are doing everythin they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political," he fumed.

"Now I see people are fumin' that I'm on Strictly.... and the funny thing is that the majority of them got "be kind" wrote in their bios. You couldn't make it up. Let me tell you this. I won't be cancelled. I ain't gonna kill myself like some of you want. I'm still here. I'm still standin," he insisted.

Thomas went on: "Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think. Every insult, every lie, every attack....it don't break me, it builds me stronger. I built what I got from nothing. I Slept on a pull-out bed on the floor for years cus I never had a bedroom. Weirdos write rubbish on Wikipedia about my upbringing that ain't true, but they can't take away what I've built with graft & fight.

"They call me a grifter, but all I do is work. Day in, day out, graft. And yes, all the political parties have come knockin wantin me to work with them from both the left and right. But I ain't got no interest in that. I'm not for them. I'm for the people. For the man or woman on the street who just wants to do better in life. For the parent workin two jobs to keep the lights on. I get it. I live it.

"I know the struggles of life. I'm in a fight I can't win, but I don't give up. I know what it's like to not have the rent money at the end of the month. I've lived it. That's why I'll always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who graft and struggle but never stop pushin forward. I'm not a millionaire, if I was I wouldn't be out in my van doing bed deliveries in between training for strictly. I wouldn't still be organising my market stall. And I'll be real with ya. I've made mistakes," he admitted.

Referring to his extra marital affair with Essex beautician Amy-Lucy, Thomas went on: "As you've seen in the news.... I cheated on my wife once over 3 years ago. We moved on from it. She forgave me. We are stronger now; yet my poor wife has to relive it because my past has been dug up to sell stories online. I am the news at the moment. Yes I got arrested several times when I was younger. Yes I was always in trouble. But I've turned my life around. Yes I went to a private school cos I worked my arse off for a scholarship and my parents sacrificed everything.

"I was brilliant at sports, but I got expelled and ruined my opportunity. Yes I'm dyslexic an my spelling is bad. Yes I'm outspoken. But anyone who says they ain't made mistakes is a liar. I don't hide mine. I own them. They made me the man I am today. I've buried mates. I've got friends doin life in jail. I've made bad choices. But I ain't scared of nothin. My wife is my rock. My familly is my world. I love my kids more than life itself. That love keeps me standin tall when the world tries to drag me down.

"And I know so many are strugglin right now. That's why I keep goin. Not just for me, but for you. For every person who needs to hear this: believe in yourself. You are ten times stronger than you even know. These last few weeks for me & my family have been horrific. Journos knockin on doors. Been front page of nearly every national newspaper. But it only makes us stronger.

"You start a war with me..... you don't win. You start a war with my family & friends...the whole lot of us rise together. This country is beautiful. Full of beautiful people. I love it with all my heart. It's built on graft, pride, community and family. It's built on good people from all walks of life. Not people that gave up! So don't waste your energy on faceless cowards. Don't let hypocrites win.

"Whatever battle you're fightin behind closed doors, don't give up. Keep pushing. If I can keep goin, so can you. We are strong. We are proud. We never give up. Ever. Thank you for all the love and support I've been getting! It means the world to me. Love to you all."

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