Wynne Evans plunges BBC Strictly into crisis again after ‘sexual jibe towards female presenter’
BBC Strictly’s Wynne Evans, 52, has embroiled himself in further controversy after making a crude ‘sexual jibe’ towards It Takes Two Presenter Janette Manrara.
The 52-year-old Welsh opera singer, famed for his appearance on the GoComapre adverts, had previously apologised for previous awkward moments with his Strictly 2024 pro partner Katya Jones, 35, during the show.
Speaking on his BBC Radio Wales show at the time, the 52-year-old said: “It was a stupid joke that went wrong, okay? We thought it was funny. It wasn’t funny. It has been totally misinterpreted.”
Now, the presenter has caused further upset by directing a crass sexual innuendo towards fan favourite Manrara while at a photocall for the Strictly live show.
In the footage, captured by the Daily Mail, Strictly stars are crowded together for a group photo where Evans is placed in the centre next to EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
Manrara, 41, was called to join the group as the other stars budge to accommodate the beloved It Takes Two Host.
As she does, Evans was seen to grin and advise her to stand: “Not too close to Jamie!”
He then turned to Borthwick and, behind Manrara’s back, said the demeaning term “spit roast” to him with a lewd grin.
Borthwick appears to chuckle awkwardly in response as Evans continues to glance suggestively at him.
Manrara’s fan-favourite dancer husband Aljaz Skorjanec, who was nearby, reportedly asked her: “Darling, are you OK?”
“Yep,” she responded bluntly.
The excruciating moment occurred during the launch event for Strictly’s live tour at the Birmingham Arena on January 16.
Now, Evans has pulled out of the live show’s performance in Glasgow with a reported ankle injury but both he and the BBC have responded to the incident.
“We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints,” the BBC told The Mail.
“We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour,” they added.
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In a statement given to GB News, Evans apologised for the incident.
“My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise,” he said.
Ahead of the live tour, the 52-year-old has said he was “excited to hit the stage again with this incredible cast”.
GB News has contacted both the BBC and Wynne Evans representatives for further comment.