Ahead of Saturday’s Strictly Grand final, the businessman took to X to confirm he would not be attending the live event, despite having been invited to appear.

Mr Skinner, who was the first contestant eliminated from the competition in September, reflected on initially being offered a place on the show earlier this year.

“I was buzzing. Not because I can dance… I can’t. But because I really wanted to test myself and learn something completely out of my comfort zone,” he said.

The pillow salesman went on to claim that on the night of his elimination, he received an anonymous email, which he alleges was sent by a BBC executive, containing voting information.

According to Mr Skinner, the message suggested he had received significantly more public votes than his final position implied.

“I’ve since had the email independently verified,” he claimed.

| BBC

The Apprentice star also alleged the correspondence referenced internal concern at the BBC over his meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.

“That same email mentioned the BBC was very angry and nervous simply because I had met JD Vance,” he wrote.

He rejected suggestions he is politically motivated, saying: “I’m not a political bloke. Never have been. I just love my country and am patriotic.”

Mr Skinner said he later requested access to the show’s official voting records to verify the claims made in the email.

| GETTY

“I was told they couldn’t be shown to me and have never been shown in the history of the show,” he alleged.

He claimed the issue was discussed with senior BBC staff and members of the programme’s welfare team.

“They were the ones who advised me to get legal advice because of how unfair it all was. This was not my idea,” he wrote.

In response, a BBC spokesman told GB News: “Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is robust and independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy.”

BBC sources also confirmed that no formal legal complaint or documentation has been received.

Mr Skinner said a number of smaller incidents also contributed to his belief he was treated unfairly, including claiming a welcome gift given to contestants was taken.

“On its own, it’s nothing… but added to everything else, it felt strange,” he said.

In response to these specific allegations, a BBC spokesman said “the Strictly Come Dancing production team “categorically did not supply ‘welcome gifts’ to any of the cast.”

Adding that “Mr Skinner’s claims regarding both the gifts and allegations of rigged voting are entirely without foundation”.

Mr Skinner also pointed to what he described as coincidental timing between his receipt of the email and subsequent senior departures at the BBC, while stressing he was not alleging a direct link.

“I’m not saying it has anything to do with me. It’s just all very coincidental,” he wrote.

Acknowledging his performance on the show, Mr Skinner added: “I was rubbish at dancing — we all know that.”

He concluded by wishing the remaining finalists well and insisted he was not seeking attention.

“I just believe in fairness and respect,” he said.

The pillow salesman’s journey on Strictly got off to a shaky start before the first episode had even aired.

Mr Skinner caused controversy when he snatched a reporter’s phone during an interview and stormed off, before admitting that he’d cheated on his wife, Sinead with an aesthetician.

Despite the row, Skinner is set to appear on Celebrity Apprentice on BBC between Christmas and New Year.

When approached for comment by The Mirror, Mr Skinner maintained he had not parted ways with the team.