GMB star slams Strictly Come Dancing in racism row: 'Kiss my a**'

Good Morning Britain star Narinder Kaur has claimed she was rejected by Strictly Come Dancing bosses for being "too controversial" as she branded the broadcaster "racist" in a new social media post. GMB panellist Narinder said the BBC "can literally kiss my a**" after it was announced this morning that former Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner will be a contestant on the new series.

Skinner has come under fire for his political views recently, though he insists he is "not far-right". He posed with US vice president JD Vance at a barbecue and been vocal about his "pride" for England - which proved controversial with some fans.

Now Narinder has posted a controversial video, fuming: "I am so raging right now with the BBC, I'm so over the BBC. You've just apologised to Robert Jenrick and you've just taken on Thomas Skinner for Strictly Come Dancing.

"Now I'll tell you my problem here, and you're going to say, 'Oh she's so bitter', you can do that all day long, I'm okay with that. Strictly Come Dancing won't take me on, we approached them and I was told by a producer, 'You're a bit too controversial, we don't need that for the show'. I accept that.

"And they put on brown and black women on every single time who are quiet, who don't have opinions, because that's the kind of brown women they accept. That's what their audience likes.

"But god forbid you're a brown woman who has some opinions, then they'll never take you on. But if you're a white man, Thomas Skinner, proud patriot of the online right who's got a criminal past, charged with theft, you're all right."

Thomas was arrested in 2011 for handling stolen goods and was sentenced in court after dishonestly handling 4,992 tubes of Body Shop gels worth nearly £40,000, as well as 2,000 diazepam tablets. His conviction is now spent.

Narinder added in a tweet: "Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you'll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!!

"#BBCStrictly your unconscious bias and prejudicial views against British brown women is disgraceful."

She added: "Racism? White man privilege? Stereotyping brown women? Which one @bbcstrictly?"

Things quickly escalated into a row, with Tom responding: "Narinder, I respect that you stand up for what you believe in, not everyone's got the guts to do that. Yes, I've got a past, but I'm not here to divide people. I'm just trying to get people to believe in themselves and realise they can do more than they think.

"Life can be so much better when you let happiness in and don't always be angry towards others. If I've ever upset you, I'm sorry... that's never been my intention. I wish ya nothing but peace, happiness, and a life you can truly enjoy. Bosh."

Narinder, however, hit back: "Appreciate the reply Thomas. I've turned up for you in the past and even helped promote your book. I don't mind you have a criminal past... it's done.

"But don't you dare say you don't divide... I was CRUCIFIED by your 'right wing' (far right followers) and did you ONCE even stand up for me? Or tell them to stop?"

She added: "That aside... this isn't about you towards me... it's about BBC being unconscious bias towards WOC [women of colour] in this country."

The pair had previously clashed on GMB, after Narinder claimed the St George's flag was "outdated" - with Tom refusing to take down his opinions supporting the flag because he "loves English culture".

Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.