The BBC Strictly Come Dancing star called his own actions ‘unacceptable’ after being caught on video making inappropriate comments towards another dancer during a photocall
A Strictly Come Dancing star has owned up to an inappropriate sexual comment made towards a fellow dancer during the BBC live tour and issued a grovelling apology.
Wynne Evans was caught on camera at a photocall event during the tour’s launch in Birmingham using sexual language that appeared to make others uncomfortable. He is appearing alongside his dance partner Katya Jones while Strictly goes on the road, but has now also been reprimanded by BBC bosses for his actions.
The operatic TV advert star was at the photocall with the whole cast, including JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Montell Douglas, Shayne Ward and Jamie Borthwick, when he was recorded belting out: “Go Compare,” and then adding “Not too close to Jamie.”
Evans then, while his fellow dancer Janette took her place between him and a fellow star, referred to the lewd sexual act, using the demeaning word “spit roast,” as seen in a circulating Daily Mail video. Awkward laughter can be heard, while the GoCompare actor smirks to himself.
After the video emerged, the Strictly star was unreserved in his apology and admitted he had used inappropriate language. In a statement to the Mirror, Wynne Evans said: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.”
In the wake of the incident, the BBC revealed that they had warned Evans about his behaviour. 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.”
This follows uproar the GoCompare advert actor caused during his time on Strictly, when the 52-year-old could be seen putting his hand on the waist of his professional dance partner Katya, which some people saw as a grope. During the incident, she could be seen brushing his hand away while they stood in front of the cameras.
Both Wynne and Katya refuted the accusations as a “silly inside joke,” but some viewers were not convinced, leading to Katya speaking up on It Takes Two. She said: “Sorry Fleur [East], sorry, I will get onto dancing I promise but can I please first get something out of the way that I feel like overshadowed our performance for absolutely no reason and quite frankly, actually, I can’t bare sitting here watching this man [Wynne] being portrayed as someone he’s not.
“In fact, it couldn’t be further away from the truth so I have to make this absolutely clear that this whole incident with the hand and the high five on Saturday night it was an inside joke between Wynne and I. Was it a silly joke? Yes! Was it a bad joke? Yes!” At this point Wynne interjected with: “Yeah and I’ve watched it back, I can see how people may have misinterpreted it.”
Katya went on: “Yeah but however, it was a joke and even the idea that it made me feel ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘offended’ in anyway is total nonsense. Those that have doubts, you guys have it got wrong! So hopefully this will be the end of it. You [Wynne] just keep making me smile, please!”
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