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Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner shared a cheeky photo of himself having a Strictly makeover as bosses vowed to stand by him after his meltdown at the show's press conference.
The former Apperntice star, 34, issued an apology on social media on Wednesday, a day he grabbed a journalist's phone at the event, before storming out.
While bosses are said to be assured he can handle the pressure of the show, Thomas was back at work with a smile on his face hours later.
He shared a picture of himself having had his first blow-dry with a couple of playful stylist's also in the frame.
He wrote: 'Just had me first blow dry. Bosh' alongside some cry face emojis.
Despite mounting pressure to axe him from the line-up, the BBC have stood by Thomas, with the Daily Mail revealing on Wednesday that he will be remaining on the show after bosses insisted he could 'cope with the pressure of the series'.
Thomas took to Instagram earlier to share a statement in which he apologised to the journalist and admitted he was working to 'move past difficult moments in his past'.
He shared: 'To set the record straight off the back of yesterday, during one of the interviews, a journalist placed their phone on the table to record the conversation.
'I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages - not about Strictly, but about a personal story from my past.'
Revealing he felt triggered by the tales of his past, he continued: 'I've been through some difficult times in my life, which I've worked hard to move on from.
'In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard. I felt it was best to step away and gather myself.'
Thomas continued: 'This had nothing to do with the interviews or Strictly itself.
'I'm sorry I picked up someone else's phone and I don't even know if the journalist realised their messages were visible, and I don't want to suggest any bad intentions on their part.
'What I do want to say is how excited I am to be part of Strictly this year. I'm so grateful for all the love, kindness and support I've been shown so far.
'It means the world to me, and I can't wait to give it my all on that dancefloor. Bosh.'
Shortly before making his statement, Thomas failed to raise a smile as he was seen running errands in Borehamwood.
Thomas, who was casually clad in a polo shirt and shorts, kept his head down as he nipped into the shops to buy a bottle of water.
The father of three appeared to be feeling the strain as he grimaced while making his way back to Elstree Studios, where he was due to pre-record the Strictly launch show.
Despite his downtrodden demeanour, Thomas had just received the news that he will be remaining on the show.
The Daily Mail revealed bosses held crisis talks about the market trader's future on the dance series following his behaviour at the media day, where he grabbed a female reporter's phone before walking out after conducting just two promotional interviews.
When a journalist asked why Thomas had signed up for Strictly this year, he refused to answer and suddenly snatched her phone.
It's believed the incident raised concerns over his conduct and Strictly chiefs, who are desperately trying to avoid controversy amid the recent scandals, demanded a full explanation surrounding his walk-out.
The Strictly press team were unable to locate him at Elstree Studios, where the press launch took place.
Now the Daily Mail can confirm that Thomas will remain a part of this year's Strictly line-up despite insiders revealing he wasn't 'coping' during Tuesday's press event.
A source close to Thomas said: 'He is definitely regretful over the way he behaved on Tuesday.
'Thomas may have done other big shows on TV before, but he still feels new to this and especially the environment of a press day, where multiple journalists are asking questions.
'While he has done Celebrity MasterChef and The Apprentice in the past, those shows are prerecorded and he wouldn't have faced the same scrutiny he is with Strictly, he definitely felt out of his depth.
'He had been enjoying the Strictly dance rehearsal before the press day began and now, he hopes to focus on the dancing alone and can't wait for the first live show.'
An insider added to Sun Online: 'Tom clearly felt stressed and wasn't coping with the press conference. He acted in a very strange manner and grabbed a phone, which isn't like him.
'After much discussion about whether he would be able to cope with the pressure of the series, it was decided that Tom was fine to stay on.
'It's a very embarrassing incident for him and he's made it clear he just wants to crack on. The BBC are backing him.'
Thomas's friend Adam Brooks, who is a media commentator on GB News, explained how the former Apprentice star has not been booted off Strictly.
Writing on X on Tuesday night, Adam said: 'I spoke to him an hour ago and he's still on the show.'
Despite Tom remaining on the series, Pundit Arena claims there's still a strong chance the former Apprentice candidate will be axed.
According to the site, he is now odds-on to exit the dance competition, with a 60 per cent implied chance of him being forced out of the line-up.
Thomas's signing has been criticised by liberal fans of the BBC show after he revealed his unlikely friendship with American Vice President JD Vance.
The pair connected via social media due to sharing similar political beliefs and Thomas was invited to attend a barbecue held by Vance while he was holidaying in the Cotswolds last month.
Thomas posted a snap of the pair together on Instagram and called it 'a once in a lifetime' event.
Writing on Instagram, he said: 'Unreal night with JD and his friends and family. He was a proper gent. Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grandkids about.'
He added: 'I'm overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don't risk turning up in shorts [and] flip-flops.'
Thomas has previously posed in a 'Make America Great Again' cap and endorsed Donald Trump, posting in November last year: 'I love Trump. I think he is brilliant, that's my opinion. I think it's good he is back in charge, it will be good for the UK economy.'
Venting their fury on social media, some fans claimed giving Thomas's political leanings a platform on Strictly was 'inappropriate' and even 'dangerous'.
One user said: 'Someone tell Strictly that being controversial isn't cute, and platforming someone like Thomas Skinner at ANY time, but even more so in the current political climate, is inappropriate and dangerous.'
Tom has spent the past few weeks getting in shape for the dance series, which he says is his mother's 'favourite show'.
The reality star insists he's doing it for the 'pint-drinking, kebab-eating dads out there with beer bellies'.
Before finding fame, Tom landed himself in trouble with the police in 2011 for handling stolen goods.
He was charged with dishonestly handling 4,992 tubes of Body Shop cleansing gels worth nearly £40,000 and 2,000 diazepam tablets.
In February, he brought up his past misdemeanours after coming under fire from trolls for witnessing a robbery at a Greggs.
He slammed the individuals for stealing while wearing designer clothes and furiously asked 'what's happening' to the state of the country, before social media users reminded him of his own criminal past and branded him a 'hypocrite'.
Hitting back on X, he wrote: 'Still finding it mad that people are actually having a go at me on Twitter because I pointed out that Greggs got robbed whilst I was in there. And then bringing up my past. Yes, I did get arrested when I was younger, in fact I got arrested several times. And been charged and paid the price for my convictions. I wrote a book about it.'
He continued: 'I never had my own bedroom at one point when I was younger and slept on a pull-out bed on the floor.
'I never had any money or had anything given to me on a plate, yet I turned my life around. I go around schools/colleges/universities telling my story hoping I can inspire others.'
He added: 'I'm no hero. I'm just a hard worker. I've made mistakes, in fact more than most, who hasn't made one? I now try to spread positivity. I've been stabbed when I was younger because of what I got up to and that's why I try to help with my knife crime campaign at my gym.
'People need to get in the real world and see that there is a problem in this country. And we can fix it if we stick together. Bosh.'
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.'
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: 'My hips don't lie.'
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: 'I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.'
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: 'Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.'
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: 'Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!'
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up... but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified.'
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: 'I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.'
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.'
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: 'Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.'
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: 'It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream'.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: 'This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class'.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: 'Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.'
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: 'I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!'
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: 'I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing.'