What we know as Wynne Evans speaks out after pulling out of Strictly tour

The 2024 Strictly Come Dancing contestant has confirmed he has pulled out of the live tour amid reports of an inappropriate sexual comment.

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during the Strictly Come Dancing. (Getty)
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during the Strictly Come Dancing. (Getty)

Wynne Evans has confirmed he is pulling out of the Strictly Come Dancing live tour after facing a backlash over apparent inappropriate remarks.

Evans was rumoured to have been axed from the UK tour following reports of an inappropriate sexual comment made during a photo call for the Strictly live launch. He has now issued a statement on his Instagram account in which he said he had "agreed to take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour" and also apologising for "the pain my inappropriate actions have caused". The Welsh opera singer added he will be taking "this time for self-reflection."

His Strictly professional dance partner Katya Jones has spoken out in support of the star, saying: "I will miss you my darling boy."

This isn't the first time that Evans' "jokes" have come under fire. During the 2024 series, Jones was seen removing his hand from her waist in a live episode that they later shrugged off as an "inside joke".

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So what really happened on the tour? We take a look at what has been reported about the latest controversy for the BBC show.

Wynne Evans (centre) during the Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour launch, at Utilita Arena, Birmingham. Picture date: Thursday January 16, 2025. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
Wynne Evans (centre) at the launch of the live tour. (PA Images)

The Daily Mail reported the Welsh opera singer made the inappropriate remark while posing for a photo with the other celebrities and professional dancers. The comment was allegedly aimed at female TV presenter Janette Manrara, who hosts spin-off show It Takes Two and used to compete on the main show.

In the wake of the reports, Evans apologised for the "inappropriate and unacceptable" comment. He told BBC News in a statement: "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise."

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: (L-R) Kai Widdrington, Jamie Borthwick, Robbie Kmetoni, Aljaž Škorjanec, Wynne Evans, Carlos Gu, Janette Manrara, JB Gill, Nikita Kuzmin, Shayne Ward and Neil Jones attend the
Wynne Evans at the tour launch alongside Janette Manrara, her husband Aljaz Skorjanec, and fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick. (Getty Images)

A spokesperson for the Strictly Live Tour and BBC Studios said at the time: "We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour."

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The furore seems to have escalated as Evans has now been dropped from the tour line-up. He said in a statement: "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."

The Strictly live tour began on 17 January and is set to finish on 9 February. Evans had been due to perform in Liverpool this week, before moving on to dates in Leeds.

Katya Jones and Wynne Evans on Strictly. (BBC)
Katya Jones and Wynne Evans on Strictly. (BBC)

Since Evans posted his statement on Instagram, his Strictly pro dancer Jones has shared her support for the star. She reposted his statement saying: "Let's show humanity and consideration."

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The dancer added: "I will miss you my darling boy."

Continuing her support, the TV personality also shared a clip of Evans on the Strictly live tour on her Instagram stories with the caption: "Really missed this tonight."

The repercussions of Evans' Strictly controversy could be far-reaching, with some reports claiming that his lucrative deal as the face of GoCompare could be hanging in the balance.

Evans has appeared in ads for the insurance comparison site since 2009, playing opera singer character Gio Compario and performing the company's famous jingle.

But The Sun has claimed that "crisis talks" are being held over Evans' future with the company in the wake of his Strictly tour exit.

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Yahoo has contacted GoCompare for further comment.

Evans is also reported to have split from his girlfriend Liz Brookes, who had been seen supporting him in the Strictly audience during his time on the series. However, claims of their split have not yet been confirmed.

Wynne Evans and Joanna Page on All At Sea. (BBC)
Wynne Evans and Joanna Page on All At Sea. (BBC)

Amid the fallout from the reports, his travel show All At Sea with Joanna Page aired on BBC on Monday. The BBC show has documented Evans and Page's trip around the Welsh coast in six episodes, with the first airing on Monday evening.

Among the comments, one person wrote: "Just a thought BBC, but maybe this Wynne Evans #AllAtSea prime time claptrap could have been postponed for a while?"

Someone else wrote: "Wynne Evans...get him off my bloody telly."

Yahoo has reached out to BBC and Wynne Evans' representatives for further comment.

Although the TV show was on air, the Go Compare advert star took a break from his usual BBC Radio Wales show slot on Monday.

Robin Morgan stepped in to cover Evans during the 9am until midday slot when he usually hosts a weekday morning chat. Morgan is expected to cover for him while the singer is off air.

Evans' time on Strictly Come Dancing wasn't without controversy. Two awkward moments between Evans and his pro dancer Katya Jones went viral on social media. Jones appeared to move Evans hand from around her waist and she appeared to turn down a high-five from him.

The pair insisted it was an inside joke between them. Evans told the BBC at the time: "I'm absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day." The BBC's welfare team have checked in on the Strictly Come Dancing pair.

Yahoo has contacted Evans' reps and the BBC for comment.