28-01-2025
Wynne Evans speaks out on ‘forgiveness' in hint about controversial BBC show moments
Opera singer Wynne Evans has admitted he lives by the mantra: "Better to seek forgiveness than permission", which was a philosophy his late mother also lived by.
In a December interview on the Guess Who's Coming To Dinner? podcast, the Strictly star hinted at his tendency to be outspoken on his BBC Radio Wales show, while reflecting on his mother Liz's bold efforts to save an old cinema in Wales.
Wynne, who has found himself embroiled in controversy in recent days after issuing an apology for making an "inappropriate and unacceptable" sexualised remark during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch, admitted he often feels the need to say sorry for comments he has made on-air.
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He began the story by explaining: "My mother was a bit like me now, I always say it's better to seek forgiveness than permission. On my show, I wish I could do a weekly apology just to cover everything that I've said in the last week, no matter what it is.
"Anyway, she just moved into the theatre, it's a derelict theatre, she just moved in there, and she took my father and they transformed this derelict building into the second biggest theatre in Wales."
Liz ended up charming Hollywood mogul Steven Spielberg into helping her rescue the cinema from being demolished and replaced by a shopping centre, by holding the 1993 premiere of his hit movie Jurassic Park in Carmarthen's Lyric Theatre.
Wynne, who is best known as Gio Compario from the GoCompare adverts, previously said: "Mum was a bit of a maverick. I thought at the time she was just an eccentric. But she was an inspiring person who didn't take no for an answer." Liz's story was made into 2022 film, Save The Cinema, starring an all-star British cast led by Samantha Morton.
Meanwhile, BBC Wales has confirmed that Wynne will be "taking time off" from presenting his radio show. It comes after the performer said language he used at the Birmingham Arena earlier this month, while the group of dancers and their celebrity partners prepared for a photo on stage, was "inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise".
A spokesperson for the Strictly Live Tour and BBC Studios said they had informed the singer that they "do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour". They also added they were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints at the time.
Wynne will be appearing on BBC show Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea alongside his close friend, Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page, this evening. The programme will follow the stars as they travel along the south Wales coastline.
Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea airs tonight at 8.30pm on BBC One.
