“As Thomas Skinner joins Strictly, we should appreciate The Apprentice as an incubator for significant cultural figures”

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According to Wikipedia, Thomas Henry Skinner is both an English entrepreneur and a well-known figure on television. However, it’s hard to imagine how he finds time for business endeavors amidst his busy schedule as a TV personality.

Ever since his stint as the comedic contestant on The Apprentice in 2019, Skinner has found himself appearing on various shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats, Celebrity MasterChef where he showcased takeaway-inspired dishes, and a chat with Nigel Farage about beer on GB News.

Simultaneously, he’s leveraged his unique use of the term “bosh” to market a variety of products ranging from beds to golf clubs. His following on social media exceeds a million people, where he enthusiastically praises all things British and occasionally enjoys roast dinners for breakfast.

This past summer, Skinner was captured enjoying a casual gathering with the second most influential person globally, JD Vance, at a barbecue in the Cotswolds. In September, Skinner is set to ascend another step up the British cultural ladder as he will participate in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Many people view Skinner, a former market trader from Romford, as the epitome of British success. However, others perceive him as a controversial figure due to his growing outspokenness against protesters and immigration. Some argue that he’s like a wolf in Toad Hall, unsuitable for national television, let alone competing on Strictly Come Dancing. Regardless, at the age of 34, it’s clear that he’s just beginning his journey.

The recent past demonstrates that a contestant from a reality show like ‘The Apprentice’ can leave an impact far beyond the confines of the boardroom. For instance, Katie Hopkins, often labeled as a truth-speaker or a professional provocateur depending on one’s perspective, was initially just another aspirant seeking Lord Sugar’s support. However, she made headlines when she left during the third series in 2007 and has since remained embroiled in controversies that continue to unfold.

Just like Skinner, Hopkins has consistently expressed her appreciation for Donald Trump, whose election to the highest office was significantly aided by The Apprentice. In 2007, Trump’s American version of the show was on the brink of cancellation due to the TV writers’ strike, which halted the production of dramas and comedies. This unexpected turn of events led to increased ratings for cheaper reality shows, among them The Apprentice. Trump thrived in the limelight of perceived authority and never looked back since then.

In the United Kingdom, The Apprentice has often been perceived as a television show disguised as a business program. I recall thinking about Luisa Zissman, who became famous for selling cupcakes and finished second in 2013, “If she’s content solely with baking, I’ll eat my hat.” True to form, she was seen on Big Brother the following year, without any signs of an oven tray nearby.

The candidate portrayed by Zissman embodied the ideal image for the show: a person who was already up before the early morning wake-up call, with flawless makeup and impeccable hair, ready to tackle the day head-on with confidence.

Individuals who excel on the program are swift to claim credit for even minor victories, yet adept at dodging responsibility when things go awry. Their loyalty is unwavering – it’s always directed towards themselves. They can maintain a cheerful demeanor amidst Lord Sugar’s most pun-laden jests, and they possess the resilience of rhinoceroses when they are criticized. In essence, these individuals seem well-equipped for politics by 2025.

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2025-08-26 03:01