Wynne Evans' £1m deal with GoCompare 'hanging by a thread' after Strictly tour axe
Wynne Evans is reportedly fighting to save his £1 million deal with GoCompare after being axed from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.
The Welsh opera singer shot to fame as the moustachiod Gio Compario in the famous adverts for the insurance comparison website in 2009.
The 53-year-old, who is believed to be paid around £200,000 a year as the face of the campaign, previously said the gig 'changed his life'.
Executives are reportedly having 'crisis talks' about Evans' future with the company after he was caught making a sexual remark to dancer Janette Manrara at the Strictly tour launch earlier this month.
'His deal with them hangs by a thread,' a source told The Sun on Tuesday.
'Wynne is so popular with viewers, so it will be a very tough call, but the sense is it is hard to keep him on.'
Evans often shares videos of himself dressed as Gio Compario on Instagram and in May 2024, he paid tribute to the 15th anniversary of his first advert.
Sharing a selfie of himself in costume, he wrote: 'This 1st ad was filmed 15 years ago today! Go Compare, happy times.'
The Celebrity MasterChef star is reportedly also fighting to salvage his six-part BBC travel series, All At Sea, with Gavin and Stacey star Joanne Page amid the Strictly scandal.
The Standard has contacted representatives for Evans and Go Compare for comment.
Enraged viewers blasted the BBC on Monday night for pressing ahead with All At Sea's premiere and questioned why it wasn't postponed.
One wrote on X: 'Why are we being forced to endure Wynne Evans?
'Everyone hates the Go Compare ads but the BBC seem determined to make him a thing. Whoever runs their old white man department needs a gentle chat.'
Another added: 'Just a thought BBC, but maybe this Wynne Evans All At Sea prime time claptrap could have been postponed for a while?'
Evans was dropped from the Strictly tour on Tuesday after he was filmed making a crude joke to dancer Manrara during a photocall in Birmingham on January 16.
He apologised on Sunday, saying: 'My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.'
Evans confirmed his Strictly exit on Tuesday and apologised for 'causing pain'.
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."
Sources said Evans was told to take time off for 'self reflection' after multiple 'warnings' about his behaviour.
He has also taken a break from hosting his BBC Radio Wales show, with broadcaster Robin Morgan stepping to replace him.
Amid the controversy, it has been reported that Evans has split from his girlfriend Liz Brookes, with sources claiming she was 'humiliated' by his actions on Strictly.
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