Wynne Evans insists he’s ‘not a bad guy’ in tell-all interview after Strictly sex scandals

Wynne Evans has spoken out in his first interview after becoming embroiled in a Strictly Come Dancing scandal.

The opera singer’s reputation took a beating earlier this year when he was axed from the Strictly Live Tour due to comments made involving Janette Manrara.

Wynne, 53, whose professional partner was Katya Jones, later retreated from the spotlight, having apologised for his ‘unacceptable’ quip that insinuated a ‘spit roast’ with married tour host Janette.

When he was removed from the bill, having already done several performances, a spokesperson from the BBC said: ‘We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour.

‘We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints.’

Wynne, who has faced several other reports of inappropriate comments made off-camera in recent months, has now spoken to The Sun about the fallout.

The GoCompare frontman – who was also caught on camera laughing after gifting Strictly co-star Jamie Borthwick a sex toy – told the publication that he is ‘not a bad guy’.

He also states that he is ‘not a misogynist’, explaining that ‘spit-roast boy’ was a nickname given to EastEnders actor Jamie, insisting that the quip was a prank that ‘backfired’.

‘It’s been heartbreaking,’ he said of the aftermath. ‘”Spit-roast boy” was a nickname we all gave Jamie Borthwick because he could contort his legs over his head like a spit-roast chicken.

‘I would be the first to apologise if I had used it in the double meaning of that word.

‘But it absolutely wasn’t meant sexually – and the fact I used “boy,” alright, it’s nuanced, but it shows I was talking to Jamie, NOT Janette.’

Wynne was informed of the ‘offensive’ language he used when footage came to light two weeks later.

He said his natural reaction was to declare he was ‘so sorry’, which he alleges was interpreted as a ‘formal apology’.

‘When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified,’ he added. ‘And I was embarrassed, and I was ashamed of myself. Because the apology always makes it look worse. It validates the story.’

At the time, when announcing his exit from the tour, Wynne apologised to people he ‘won’t get to see at the remaining performances’.

‘I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me,’ he added.

The incident, which occurred during a photo session at Birmingham Arena, was not the first time Wynne raised eyebrows with his comments, as, while he was on Strictly in late 2024, fans noticed an uncomfortable moment in which Katya removed his hand from her waist before refusing to high-five him.

He now claims this was a ‘body language experiment’ proposed by Russian pro Katya, to which he ‘naively agreed’.

The TV personality says Katya told him: ‘Why don’t we create our own body language experiment? Put your hand on my waist; I’ll move it back, and let’s see if people notice.

‘So we did it, we laughed, we went downstairs to make-up, and my phone explodes, and I look at it… and let me tell you, the body language experiment worked.’

The pair later posted a video on Instagram apologising, which Wynne believes only amplified the situation and was the ‘catalyst that started everything’.

Also in the interview, Wynne acknowledges that the sex toy gift was ‘unprofessional’, saying he’d be happy to attend ‘any language and behavioural course that the BBC want to send [him] on.’

Wynne has received supportive messages from several members of the Strictly 2024 cast and the pro dancers, with Janette herself texting him to say: ‘Look after yourself and be strong.’

But while he ‘understands’ matters must be investigated by the BBC, especially given the recent bullying rows engulfing Strictly and the sacking of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, he admits he was transported back to a place of ‘not wanting to be alive’ in the wake of his axing.

Wynne, who previously suffered from depression, says he is ‘disappointed’ in the BBC’s attitude towards him, given that he has spoken openly about his mental health struggles.

‘But I am feeling a lot stronger now. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had, and I am just desperate to get back to doing the thing I love – my BBC Radio Wales show.’

The BBC declined to comment.

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