One of the participants in the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing, Thomas Skinner, is facing scrutiny as one of his companies, the Fluffy Pillow Company, has not repaid a £50,000 Covid bounce back loan despite claims of significant profits during the pandemic.
Skinner, the sole director of the Fluffy Pillow Company, obtained the taxpayer-funded loan in 2020. However, there is no evidence that the loan has been repaid to date, raising questions about the company’s financial practices.
Skinner boasted about the success of his businesses, attributing their prosperity to the pandemic. He mentioned that both the Fluffy Pillow Company and a second company, Bosh Beds, thrived during the pandemic period, with the latter reportedly achieving substantial sales figures.
These revelations have cast doubt on the credibility of the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, especially as Skinner recently admitted to marital infidelity. The show’s producers are now facing increased pressure to justify their decision to include Skinner as a contestant.
Skinner recounted in his autobiography how his businesses capitalized on the pandemic-induced demand for bedding products, particularly mattresses. He highlighted the rapid growth and financial success of his ventures, claiming to have reached significant sales milestones.
Despite the government loan scheme’s intention to aid struggling businesses affected by Covid, Skinner’s Fluffy Pillow Company seems to have failed to meet its repayment obligations. The company reportedly applied for the maximum loan amount but has not made any repayments, as indicated in its financial records.
Moreover, Companies House records show that multiple notices have been issued to liquidate the Fluffy Pillow Company due to outstanding debts. Skinner has remained evasive when questioned about the reasons behind the company’s financial discrepancies.
The timeline of when the Fluffy Pillow Company ceased operations remains unclear, with conflicting statements from Skinner regarding the business’s closure. Additionally, discrepancies exist between Skinner’s claims of the company’s size and activity and the official records.
Skinner’s decision to step down as a director of Bosh Beds in 2022 coincided with the government’s announcement of a repayment window for Covid loans, aimed at facilitating the repayment of funds borrowed during the pandemic. This initiative offers directors the opportunity to settle their Covid-related debts without immediate repercussions.
Overall, Skinner’s businesses’ financial practices and the unresolved loan repayment issues have raised concerns about transparency and accountability, underscoring the challenges faced by companies during the pandemic.
