A public spat has erupted between former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and controversial influencer Andrew Tate after the latter branded the UK a "ghetto".
Tate, 38, claimed British expats who have relocated to Dubai now look down on their former homeland, with the self-proclaimed misogynist suggesting that remaining in Britain is "synonymous with failing to get rich".
But patriotic Skinner, 34, who appeared on Lord Sugar's BBC show in 2019, has leapt to the defence of his beloved nation.
The Cockney entrepreneur, known for his "Bosh" catchphrase, dismissed Tate's criticism with a passionate tribute to British culture and community.
The exchange has sparked divided reactions from the public, with Britons taking sides in the debate about national pride versus economic opportunity.
Tate, a former kickboxer who previously lived in Luton, made his controversial remarks about the UK recently and claimed: "The UK is so ghetto now, that people in Dubai use it as an insult, 'He still lives in England'.
Tom Skinner is known for his appearance on The Apprentice
BBC
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"Living in England is synonymous with failing to get rich. With being stuck."
The influencer went further, suggesting that Britain has become a place that successful people abandon and added: "Everybody with money leaves. Everybody."
His comments implied that remaining in Britain indicates a failure to achieve financial success, with remarks being particularly pointed toward those who have chosen to stay in the UK rather than relocate to places like Dubai.
Skinner, who has previously appeared on This Morning declaring his love for Britain, offered a robust defence of his homeland and declared: "I'd rather live in England than a skyscraper in the middle of a desert any day of the week."
Andrew Tate claimed the UK had become "ghetto"
GETTY
He highlighted Britain's cultural assets in his rebuttal to Tate and added: "We've also got world-class pubs, cities with culture, and a proper sense of community."
The former Apprentice contestant described England as a "sleeping lion" that "just ain't woke up yet, I live where my roots are, where my family is, where there is proper history and where I am proud of."
Skinner concluded his patriotic defence with characteristic flair and said: "The weather might be pony here but the people ain't, they're b** brilliant."
The public response to this patriotic debate has been sharply divided on social media with some Britons questioning Skinner's rose-tinted view of modern Britain.
"Erm, what England are you living in Tom? You're speaking about 70s to 90s England," one person commented.
Another asked bluntly: "Do you live in the same England as me?"
The star hit back at Tate's comments
BBC
One critic specifically challenged Skinner's emphasis on pub culture, asking: "Did you just say that you like England because of pubs?"
However, many others rallied behind the entrepreneur's defence of British life.
"I would take our green and pleasant land over that man-made desert city any day," wrote one supporter.
Another added: "Tom, you are a true patriot. The best of British. We all love you. Bosh!"
