Wynne Evans steps away from BBC Strictly tour ‘to prioritise wellbeing’ following ‘sexual jibe’ comment
Singer and BBC Strictly star Wynne Evans has agreed with the BBC to “take some time out” from the current tour.
Following reports of a “sexual jibe” he made during the tour, it was decided he would leave his radio show, with his time out now extending to the show, which he has been dancing in alongside Katya Jones.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Evans commented: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that l’ll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.
“I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection.
“Apologies to those I won’t get to see at the remaining performances and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.”
Evans made the official statement on Tuesday evening as rumours of his axe from the tour circulated following his prior apology for the “inappropriate and unacceptable” comment.
On Sunday, it was reported by Mail on Sunday that the 53-year-old had made the remar as the tour’s dancers prepared for a group photo.
In footage caught by the publication, Evans was stood at the centre of the group next to EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
Janette Manrara, 41, was called to join the crowd 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.
Manrara’s fan-favourite dancer husband Aljaz Skorjanec, who was nearby, reportedly asked her: “Darling, are you OK?” to which she responded: “Yep”.
On Monday, Evans announced he would be “taking time off” from presenting BBC Radio Wales.
The awkward interaction came on January 16 as the Strictly live tour launched at the Birmingham Arena.
Soon after reports of the incident were made public, Evans pulled out of the live show’s performance in Glasgow with an ankle injury.
In response to the Mail’s report, the BBC stated: “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,” the broadcaster added.
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In a statement given to GB News over the weekend, Evans apologised for the incident.
“My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise,” he said.
The incident follows an awkward moment caught on the BBC Strictly cameras in October, for which Evans apologised for an apparent “joke”.
His dancer partner Jones could be seen removing his hand from her waist and she later appeared to reject a high-five from him.
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.”