BBC Strictly star Wynne Evans' reaction to scandal, upcoming show and life off screen
Wynne Evans has been embroiled in controversy after he made "inappropriate and unacceptable" sexual comment during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch. The Welsh opera singer and GoCompare advert star, who is currently participating in the UK tour, was caught on camera making an unsuitable remark about his co-stars at the press call for the tour in Birmingham.
The Mail on Sunday reported that the 52-year-old was heard making a sexualised remark in a video filmed during the launch event on January 16. It has been reported that he was given a warning over the remark by tour producers. In a statement, Evans issued an apology and said: "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise."
A spokesperson for the Strictly live tour and BBC Studios: "We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints. We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour." Despite his apology, on Monday morning, January 27, Evans was absent from his BBC Wales radio show, with comedian Robin Morgan fronting the morning show.
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This isn't the first time Evans has faced criticism for his actions. During the 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing, Wynne found himself in the spotlight for a 'hand incident' with his dance partner Katya Jones. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
The incident included Jones appearing to turn down a high-five from Evans and move his hand from her waist during an episode in October. The incident attracted some viewers' attention, however, the duo explained it was a "running joke" between them.
While on the spin-off show, It Takes Two, Jones said it was "complete nonsense" that Evans' hand on her waist "made me feel uncomfortable or offended me in any way". On his radio show the next morning, Evans insisted that the incident had been "totally misinterpreted."
He said: "I'm absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day. It's not nice to live in that time, but basically Katya and I are really, really close and we're really good friends, and on Saturday night we made a stupid joke. It was a stupid joke that went wrong, OK? We thought it was funny. It wasn't funny. It has been totally misinterpreted."
A Strictly source confirmed that their welfare team had stepped in to offer both Katya and Wynne support, deciding against any further action. Despite the negativity, Evans was supported by his dance partner Katya Jones and his real-life partner, Liz Brookes.
Throughout his time on Strictly, his partner Liz, who is an events manager, was spotted in the audience, cheering him on. His marriage to ex-wife Tanwen broke down in 2016. Since meeting Liz, Evans has lost six stone due to their shared running hobby.
Last year, a source close to the couple told The Sun: "Wynne and Liz met at an event and are taking things slow, but he's excited about where the relationship might go. He is in a much better place now than when his marriage ended. It's like night and day - and he is so happy."
In 2023, the Welsh broadcaster appeared and won the 18th series of Celebrity MasterChef, beating runners-up actress Amy Walsh and Love Island star Luca Bish. Despite the recent controversy, the GoCompare man's upcoming show - Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, alongside Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, is going ahead. The show, in which he and Joanna Page sail along the Welsh coastline over six episodes, is set to air at 8.30pm on Monday evening, January 27, on BBC One Wales.
