Wynne Evans ‘axed’ from GoCompare ads amid BBC Strictly star’s ‘misconduct’ scandal
Welsh opera singer and former BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans is believed to have been axed from future GoCompare adverts.
The 53-year-old is famed for fronting the price comparison site’s famous promotional campaign in which he appeared as moustachioed Italian singer Gio Compario.
The fictional character, which debuted in 2009, saw the stereotypical tenor belt out a song about the company set to the tune of Over There.
Despite several breaks and being voted the UK’s “most irritating” advert in 2015, the character endured for years but may now finally be gone for good.
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Doubt over Gio’s future originates from the storm of controversy surrounding Evans exit from Strictly live tour – where he directed a crude sexual remark to former pro dancer and It Takes Two host 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 but the showdown had been delayed due to the Welshman’s mental health concerns.
“The whole ordeal has been a real headache for GoCompare,” a source explained to the Daily Mail.
The company was said to be in “ongoing crisis talks” with Evans during the fallout.
Now, it appears they have parted ways from the 53-year-old and he will not feature in any future adverts.
“It’s been a tough decision for them because Wynne is undeniably a major part of their branding,” the source explained.
They reasoned: “It’s also been tricky to even have him in the current ads, so it’s best not to have him filming for the next ones.”
GB News has approached GoCompare for comment.
Elsewhere, Evans’s pro dancer partner for the Strictly 2024, Katya Jones, has hinted at a possible exit from the show following the controversy.
“Her friends are worried this is making her fall out of love with the show and wonder if she will do it again next year. There is only so much drama she can take,” the source added.
“I will continue doing it as long as I have the same passion for it. But we are growing and evolving. And not getting any younger,” she said.