Wynne Evans apologises and says 'I'm not a victim' after Strictly controversy
Opera singer Wynne Evans has apologised and said he didn't want to come across as a victim when speaking about the controversy around his time on Strictly Come Dancing.
The Welsh tenor, 53, known for the GoCompare insurance advertisements, competed in the recent series of the BBC dancing programme alongside professional Katya Jones.
Evans recently announced that he had been dropped by the BBC and will no longer present on BBC Radio Wales following reports that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, he apologised and said: 'I don't want to sit here today coming across as a victim because I'm not.'
He went on to say the story had been taken out of context and that he was talking to fellow contestant, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, who he gave the nickname 'old spit roast boy' to.
He said: 'I used to call him this because he could contort his legs over his head.
'I didn't know there was a reporter still there, recording, apparently, on their phone.
'Even though I'm looking at Jamie, they claim that I'm directing this word at Janette. And it's totally been taken out of context."
He added that the nickname was 'unsuitable' and 'inappropriate' but claims that he was misrepresented.
Evans also said that he never approved of the statement that was issued by the BBC in January where he apologised for making an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' comment.
He said: 'They didn't run it by me. They sent it off to the newspaper. They printed that as my apology. And, of course, then it looks like I validated the story.'
A BBC spokesperson said: 'The apology issued on Wynne's behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday January 25 was fully approved by Wynne.'
While recounting the controversy, Evans spoke about another incident in which he gifted fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick a sex toy.
He said: 'That was a joke that went too far and I apologise for that.'
During the interview on This Morning, he got visibly emotional and said that he had thought about ending his life.
'I've had clinical depression since 2016, diagnosed. It took me into the darkest spot of my life.
'I was at my lowest ebb. I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people.
'At one point one of the newspapers was so relentless, I remember saying to my girlfriend, 'I have to kill myself, I have to, because this is what they want'.'
He added that he was under the crisis team for a month with his family, friends and girlfriend on a rota to be with him 24 hours a day.
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