As Strictly Come Dancing gears up for its 2025 season premiere on September 20, contestant Thomas Skinner—a 34-year-old entrepreneur known from The Apprentice and his vocal support for “traditional family values”—finds himself embroiled in a scandal that threatens to overshadow the BBC show. Married to Sinead and father to a five-year-old son and two-year-old twin girls, Skinner is accused of a three-month affair that began shortly after his May 2022 wedding. The allegations, detailed in a Daily Mail interview with 35-year-old aesthetician Amy-Lucy O’Rourke, have fueled heated debates online and in the press, especially given Strictly’s recent string of controversies. Below is a detailed timeline of the claims, Skinner’s response, and public reaction.

Amy-Lucy O’Rourke’s Allegations

Amy-Lucy O’Rourke, who owns a beauty clinic in Brentwood, Essex, alleges a romantic relationship with Skinner that began soon after his marriage to Sinead. Key points from her Daily Mail interview:

Initial Contact: O’Rourke met Skinner through mutual friends before his May 2022 wedding. Their relationship turned romantic on June 12, 2022, when Skinner visited her clinic for body sculpting treatments to reduce excess fat. During these sessions, he allegedly described his marriage as a “loveless relationship of convenience,” claiming Sinead’s “travelling family” background pressured him into the marriage.

Escalation: O’Rourke says Skinner quickly professed his love, sent flowers, cooked dinners, fixed her car, and introduced her as his girlfriend at public venues like Soho’s Little Italy restaurant. She claims he “love-bombed” her, promising they’d be a “power couple” and even “Mr. and Mrs. Skinner,” while frequently staying at her home.

Deception Unraveled: On July 11, 2022, O’Rourke discovered Instagram photos of Skinner and Sinead looking happy together at a friend’s wedding, despite his claim they attended as “friends.” Confronted at Sushi Samba in London, Skinner, allegedly drunk, abandoned her. O’Rourke sent Sinead screenshots of their messages, but Skinner reportedly convinced his wife they were fabricated using an app.

Aftermath: Skinner allegedly sought reconciliation, briefly rekindling the affair, but O’Rourke ended it after his manipulation caused her stress, culminating in a minor car accident. She describes lasting trauma, stating, “I’m still broken deep down and fear I can’t trust any man again.” She insists she was “lied to and manipulated,” not a “homewrecker,” and expresses sympathy for Sinead and Skinner’s Strictly dance partner.

Skinner’s Defense: A “Moment of Madness”

In a September 14, 2025, interview with The Sun on Sunday, Skinner admitted to infidelity but minimized the affair’s scope, calling it a “two-week fling” and “the biggest mistake of my life.” His claims include:

Brief Encounter: He says they met in a pub, and O’Rourke offered free cosmetic treatments for social media promotion. The affair occurred during a “moment of madness” the day after his friend “Big Mark” died, when he was grieving and not valuing his marriage.

Immediate Regret: Skinner claims he confessed to Sinead the next day, describing her as “distraught” but crediting her forgiveness for their recovery. He said, “Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today—she made me,” emphasizing their marriage is now “in an incredible place.”

Advice to Others: He urged honesty, stating the fault was his alone and denying prior marital issues.

O’Rourke’s spokesperson countered: “She did not have a fling… she had a relationship with him and was deceived then treated appallingly.” O’Rourke’s Instagram Stories post about “narcissists [who] are crybullies” appeared to target Skinner’s tearful interview.

Recent Incidents and Context

The affair allegations coincide with other controversies involving Skinner:

Press Conference Outburst: On September 10, 2025, Skinner stormed out of a Strictly press event after grabbing a female reporter’s phone, alleging he saw messages about a “personal story from his past” (likely the affair). He later apologized, clarifying it was unrelated to Strictly and reaffirming his excitement for the show.

Public Persona: Known as a “cheeky chappy” and friend of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Skinner’s advocacy for “hard-working family values” and anti-woke rhetoric has drawn accusations of hypocrisy. This marks Strictly’s first major 2025 pre-season scandal, following prior years’ misconduct allegations.

Public Reaction on Social Media

The story has sparked intense discussion on X, with over 20 posts as of September 14, 2025, reflecting polarized views:

Hypocrisy Backlash: Many criticize Skinner’s “family man” image. One user wrote: “All the talk of graft, family, and values, then you do that? Nah mate. That ain’t lovely behaviour. BOSH.” Another noted: “Those preaching ‘traditional family values’ often don’t practice what they preach.” Some demand his removal from Strictly: “Why keep Thomas Skinner in the lineup?”

Skeptics and Defenders: A few dismiss the story as old news or question O’Rourke’s motives, with one post stating: “There are two sides to every story. The woman said, ‘The truth is coming…’”

Lighthearted Jabs: Humorous takes include: “I’d rather watch The Thomas Crown Affair than hear about The Thomas Skinner Affair.” Another shared O’Rourke’s photo, captioning it: “This is who Thomas ‘British Family Values’ Skinner had an affair with 👀 Bosh.”

Local outlets like The Bolton News and Bury Times have covered Skinner’s admission, with public sentiment largely negative, condemning the “unhealthy and cruel” impact on O’Rourke and Sinead.

Ongoing Fallout

Skinner has not commented further beyond his Sun interview. As Strictly reveals its dance pairings on September 14, 2025, the scandal continues to dominate headlines, risking overshadowing the show’s attempt at a controversy-free season. O’Rourke’s claims and Skinner’s conflicting account have left fans divided, with many awaiting further developments as the premiere approaches.