Wynne Evans’ battle against BBC delayed over concerns for his mental health amid tribunal threat
A showdown between former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Wynne Evans and the BBC has reportedly been delayed after concern was raised about his mental health.
The 53-year-old Welsh opera singer, famed for starring in the GoCompare adverts, was sacked from the Strictly live show after directing a crude sexual remark to Janette Manrara.
After being recorded making the comment, Evans was dropped from the tour and stepped down from his role at BBC Wales.
Soon after, it was revealed the singer was “going to a tribunal with the BBC” over his exile and would not “go down without a fight”.
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Now, crisis talks between the Evans and the organisation appear to have been postponed due to fears over his mental health.
“Wynne was due to meet the BBC last week to talk about the concerns raised against him and how, if they could, move forward,” an inside source told The Sun.
“Wynne was ready to fight but in recent weeks he has been struggling mentally.
“The stress of what has happened to his reputation has been weighing heavily on his mind,” they continued.
The source confirmed that the talks had been postponed by a “couple of weeks to allow Wynne time to get his head straight.”
GB News has contacted representatives for Evans. The BBC declined to comment.
The latest drama began when Evans was overheard directing a crass sexual innuendo towards It Takes Two host Manrara during a photocall ahead of the Strictly live show.
Evans soon confirmed his departure from the Strictly Live tour in a grovelling statement and said: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that I’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,” he said.
Despite his initial contrite statement, the singer was reportedly unhappy with how BBC bosses and co-stars treated him in the aftermath – allegedly feeling like he had been “knifed”.
“Wynne knows the meaning behind his comment and, to his frustration, so do many of the pro dancers and celebrities who were on the tour with him,” a source revealed to The Sun.
“He is heartbroken by how this all played out and is upset that no one has spoken out to defend him publicly… It was an ‘in’ joke.
“It didn’t offend anyone and no one complained. Wynne feels badly let down by the whole process and some of his co-stars who he was incredibly close to,” the insider concluded.