BBC Denies £2,000 Fee Claim by Thomas Skinner for Question Time Appearance
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has officially refuted claims made by television personality Thomas Skinner, who asserted he was offered £2,000 to participate in the political panel show Question Time. Skinner, who gained notoriety for his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and has been involved in past controversies, featured on the BBC One program on Thursday, March 26.
During his segment, Skinner voiced strong opinions, criticising the Labour government for its impact on small businesses. However, his commentary on the divisive nature of social media also drew considerable attention and criticism from viewers. Skinner stated his intention to “spread a bit of positivity and a bit of love” online, a sentiment that host Fiona Bruce challenged by questioning if he was contributing to the problem through the “addictive algorithm” that amplifies his content. Adding to the scrutiny, some audience members recalled a February tweet from Skinner where he allegedly referred to Green Party leader Zach Polanski with offensive language.
The BBC has denied Thomas Skinner’s claim that he was offered £2,000 to go on
Question Time
after his controversial appearance on the show.
The scandal-prone
Strictly
star took part in the BBC One show’s panel on Thursday (26 March). While he hit out at the Labour government for “smacking small businesses left, right and centre”, his comments on the divisive nature of social media were met with criticism.
Skinner said that he tried to “spread a bit of positivity and a bit of love” online despite being criticised for his political beliefs, leading host Fiona Bruce to ask whether he’s “part of the problem” due to the “addictive algorithm” that pushes his content. Meanwhile, some viewers recalled one of Skinner’s tweets in February, in which he called Green Party leader Zach Polanski a “massive b**”.
Skinner’s Social Media Statement and the BBC’s Response
Following his appearance on Question Time, Skinner took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his position. He emphasised that he was not on the show to represent any political party, despite having announced his membership in Reform UK in January.
Skinner stated, “I’m not there representing any party. I’m there because it pays £2,000 and I like watching Question Time…. I’ve been asked probably nine or 10 times to attend over the last four or five years. So I decided to give it a go. And I really enjoyed it.”
However, the BBC has officially denied this assertion. A spokesperson for the broadcaster informed The Independent that Question Time offers a standard fee of £150 to panellists who are not politicians. The show also does not remunerate any elected or currently serving politicians who appear as guests.
- Following his
- Question Time
- appearance, Skinner took to social media to clarify that he wasn’t on the show to represent Reform UK despite revealing in January that he had joined the political party.
- “I’m not there representing any party,” he said on X. “I’m there because it pays £2,000 and I like watching Question Time…. I’ve been asked probably nine or 10 times to attend over the last four or five years.
- “So I decided to give it a go. And I really enjoyed it.”
- The BBC has since denied this was the case, with a spokesperson telling
- The Independent
- “
Question Time
offers a fee of £150 to panellists who aren’t politicians.”
The show also does not pay any elected or serving politicians who appear on the show.
Skinner Doubles Down on Fee Claims
The dispute escalated after former Big Brother contestant Narinder Kaur challenged Skinner on social media regarding the BBC’s statement. Skinner responded by reiterating his claim, tweeting, “No mate seriously. I honestly agreed £2,000 for me to go on it. And I agreeed [sic] that they pay me driver £400 on the night to take me and bring me back. Which he had already been paid. I wasn’t fishing. I was telling the truth.”
In a subsequent statement provided to The Sun, Skinner elaborated on his understanding of the fee, attributing the information to his management. He claimed that his representatives had informed him of a £2,000 payment.
“I’m a big fan of Question Time and really enjoyed being part of the show,” Skinner commented. “At the same time, it is work for me, and with three kids, I have to treat these opportunities as part of my job.”
After being challenged on social media by former
Big Brother
contestant Narinder Kaur following the BBC’s statement, Skinner doubled down, tweeting: “No mate seriously. I honestly agreed £2,000 for me to go on it.
“And I agreeed [sic] that they pay me driver £400 on the night to take me and bring me back. Which he had already been paid. I wasn’t fishing. I was telling the truth.”
In a statement given to
The Sun
, Skinner also said that his “understanding of the fee” came directly from his management, who he claimed told him that he would be paid £2,000.
“I’m a big fan of
Question Time
and really enjoyed being part of the show,” he said. “At the same time, it is work for me, and with three kids, I have to treat these opportunities as part of my job.”
Past Tensions with the BBC
Skinner’s recent interaction with the BBC follows a period of strained relations. His tenure on Strictly Come Dancing last year was notably brief and marked by controversy.
The casting of Skinner for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing ignited public backlash, partly due to his association with US Vice President JD Vance. He ultimately became the first contestant to be eliminated from the competition and subsequently did not attend the show’s finale.
Skinner’s relationship with the BBC has been fraught at times following his short time on
Strictly Come Dancing
last year.
The show faced backlash after he was cast on the 2025 series due to his friendship with US vice president JD Vance. He became the first star to be voted off the series and later snubbed the final.
In December, he said that he was sent an anonymous email that claimed he’d “received far more votes than it appeared” on the show and that he had been advised to seek legal advice. He also claimed that “everyone received a welcome gift on the show” except for him, being told that it was “stolen”.
A spokesperson for the BBC said at the time that
Strictly’s
public vote is “independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy every week” and that claims to the contrary are “entirely without foundation”. They added that the
Strictly
production team “categorically did not supply ‘welcome gifts’ to any of the cast”.
Further complicating matters, in December, Skinner reported receiving an anonymous email alleging that he had garnered “far more votes than it appeared” and suggesting he seek legal counsel. He also alleged that while other contestants received “welcome gifts” on the show, his was reportedly “stolen.”
In response to these claims at the time, a BBC spokesperson maintained that Strictly Come Dancing‘s public vote is subject to independent oversight and verification to guarantee accuracy each week, dismissing any contrary assertions as “entirely without foundation.” The production team also categorically denied supplying any “welcome gifts” to the cast members.
