JD Vance strikes up unlikely friendship with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner

US Vice-President JD Vance was lauded as "a proper gent" - by The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner after the pair had a barbecue last night during his UK visit.

The amicable scenes contrasted hugely to the protests earlier in the week in the Cotswolds near the politician's holiday residence. Locals there blasted Mr Vance's heavy security - seemingly a mix of police and US Secret Service agents - as "a bit over the top" and vented their anger at the visit altogether.

But last night, Mr Vance, 41, continued his unlikely friendship with Mr Skinner, a charismatic Essex trader who has become a social media star since appearing on The Apprentice in 2019. Mr Vance invited the 34-year-old TV personality to a barbecue at the Cotswolds holiday residence, along with Cambridge Academic James Orr and Conservative MP Danny Kruger. The encounter came after lawmakers both here and in the US expressed concern for Donald Trump's mental state.

Writing on social media, dad-of-three Mr Skinner said: "Here is a pic of Me and Vice President JD Vance towards the end of the night after a few beers. I’m overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don’t risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh."

In another reply, he added: "When the Vice President of the USA invites ya for a BBQ an beers, you say yes. Unreal night with JD and his friends n family. He was a proper gent. Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grand kids about mate. Bosh."

Mr Skinner shared photographs of him posing alongside Mr Vance, who had visited Chevening House in Kent where he and his family stayed with Foreign Secretary David Lammy for two days last week. He today will meet Nigel Farage - although the Reform UK leader did not meet with President Trump when he visited the UK last month.

It is unclear if Mr Skinner, a pillow salesperson, and Mr Vance had ever met before but their friendship has blossomed through social media. The Apprentice star suggested he was delighted to accept the invite to the barbecue in Dean, Oxfordshire, a picturesque hamlet flooded with police and security this week.

Among those who gathered in and around Dean to protest recently was Sue Moon, a 54-yearold therapist who said she didn't recognise the purpose of Mr Vance's trip. She added: "The Cotswolds is the home of ordinary people who are not comfortable with JD Vance coming here. What is happening in America regarding reproductive rights is appalling.

"It's also very hard to welcome somebody who said that Britain is a random country. I am not sure what is the purpose of his visit and on a local level it has caused a lot of disruption and roads on our area have been closed."