Latest news with #JanetteManrara
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly's Wynne shares what he really said at photocall and Janette's response
Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans hits back at claims he made a sexual slur against his co-star Janette Manrara, which happened when Wynne was standing in the middle of a line-up of the entire cast in Birmingham Wynne Evans has opened up about 'what he really said' to Strictly Come Dancing partner Janette Manrara after he was 'forced' to apoplgise for the sexual slur - which he now claims was the farthest thing from what he actually meant it to be. The opera singer, 53, best known for his Go Compare adverts, was caught on camera in January making a vile "spit roast" remark towards a co-star. The footage, which was released in January, shows Wynne standing in the middle of a line-up of the entire cast in Birmingham as Janette, who is the host of the BBC spin-off show It Takes Two, is asked to join them. Wynne was recorded making an inappropriate sexual comment to Janette Manrara, who acts as host on the tour, when she walked over to the group. He sang out: "Go Compare," before adding: "Not too close to Jamie [Borthwick]." He then used the hugely demeaning term "spit roast" in reference to a lewd sexual act. At the time, Evans said in a statement to the Mirror: "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise." He was seen with the tour cast as they turned up to Liverpool after having to pull out of the Glasgow shows due to an injury. However, he later pulled from the tour entirely. However, Wynne has denied making the comments caught on camera. After issuing an apology at the time, the opera singer has now revealed what he actually meant by saying the words 'spit-roast', claiming it was a nickname for his fellow Strictly star and EastEnders actor, Jamie. Wynne told The Sun in a new interview: 'I didn't see the statement. Old Spit-roast Boy was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I'm not a bad guy, I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things." Wynne now insists his mistakes on the show were simply light-hearted pranks which completely backfired on him, leading to his career taking a massive plunge. The Strictly star has also revealed that he suffered a dreadful mental health collapse after his axe from the show, admitting that he was on even 24/7 suicide watch by an NHS crisis team. 'I would be the first to apologise if I had used it in the double meaning of that word," Wynne told the publication. But it absolutely wasn't meant sexually - and the fact I used 'boy', all right it's nuanced, but it shows I was talking to Jamie, NOT Janette. 'Anyway two weeks after that photocall, I was sat in this hotel room and I start to get these calls saying, 'You have used a term that is really offensive'. And then I've got my team ringing me, I've got the Strictly team ringing me, I've got the tour team ringing me." Wynne went on to claim that he didn't see the press statement that was published on his behalf, and was left blindsided by it. "Of course, your natural reaction is, if you're told you've offended someone, you say, 'God, I'm so sorry'. And so I went, 'I'm so sorry'. And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn't see it," he said. "When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified. And I was embarrassed and I was ashamed of myself. Because the apology always makes it look worse. "It validates the story. It's been a truly awful past few months, having to keep my counsel and let the narrative that I'm some sort of weirdo run. I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things.' The statement which was released on his behalf at the time read: 'My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.' The broadcaster has launched an investigation into his behaviour and the conclusion is believed to be revealed in a couple of weeks. A BBC spokesperson also previously confirmed they had spoken to Wynne and stated they "do not tolerate such behaviour." Meanwhile, a spokesman for the live tour said: "We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints. We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour." *If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@ or visit their site to find your local branch
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wynne Evans breaks silence on 'spit roast' comment as he reveals 'heartbreak' over scandals that left his career in tatters - but claims he was 'forced' to apologise
Strictly star Wynne Evans has broken his silence on his controversial 'spit roast' comment- claiming he was forced to apologise. The opera singer, 53, - known for the Go Compare ads - denied it was a sexual jibe about a female presenter as he lifted the lid on the incident in an explosive new interview. In January, Wynne was caught on camera seemingly suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara. The comment came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour and swiftly earned a rebuke from BBC bosses who told him: 'We will not tolerate such behaviour.' However, Wynne has insisted he used the term 'spit roast' as a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick. He told The Sun: 'It's been heartbreaking. 'Spit-roast boy' was a nickname we all gave [fellow contestant] Jamie Borthwick because he could contort his legs over his head like a spit-roast chicken. 'I would be the first to apologise if I had used it in the double meaning of that word. 'But it absolutely wasn't meant sexually - and the fact I used 'boy', all right it's nuanced, but it shows I was talking to Jamie, NOT Janette.' A statement was released on his behalf after the incident, which read: 'My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.' Wynne was suspended from the show as a result of the comment - and has now said he was on 24/7 suicide watch by an crisis team as a result. It was not the first time Evans has threatened the reputation of the BBC's biggest show as it attempts to recover from a string of scandals. During last year's televised shows, the 52-year-old was accused of 'groping' his dance partner Katya Jones, 35, although the pair dismissed it as a joke that had been misunderstood.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Wynne Evans lifts lid on Strictly scandal in 1st explosive interview opening up on suicide, forced apology & heartbreak
DEVASTATED Wynne Evans says he was forced to apologise over his 'spit-roast' comment — and denied it was a sex slur. Strictly bosses issued an apology after the incident on the show's sell-out tour. 9 9 But the tenor said: 'I didn't see the statement. Old Spit-roast Boy was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I'm not a bad guy, I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things." Wynne insists his errors on the show were just pranks which backfired. The opera singer, 53, also detailed his terrifying mental health collapse in the wake of his suspension, admitting he was on 24/7 suicide watch by an NHS crisis team. In his first interview, he lays bare the truth behind the three allegations levelled against him as he finally sets the record straight. It comes four months after a video emerged of him saying 'spit-roast' at a Strictly photocall which, it was claimed, was in relation to married pro Janette Manrara. He says: 'It's been heartbreaking. 'Spit-roast boy' was a nickname we all gave [fellow contestant] Jamie Borthwick because he could contort his legs over his head like a spit-roast chicken. 'I would be the first to apologise if I had used it in the double meaning of that word. 'I'm so sorry' "But it absolutely wasn't meant sexually - and the fact I used 'boy', all right it's nuanced, but it shows I was talking to Jamie, NOT Janette. 'Anyway two weeks after that photocall, I was sat in this hotel room and I start to get these calls saying, 'You have used a term that is really offensive'. 'And then I've got my team ringing me, I've got the Strictly team ringing me, I've got the tour team ringing me. Fresh twist in Strictly row as furious Wynne Evans sues producers after he broke foot & was told to keeping dancing "And of course, your natural reaction is, if you're told you've offended someone, you say, 'God, I'm so sorry'. 'And so I went, 'I'm so sorry'. And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn't see it. "When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified. 'And I was embarrassed and I was ashamed of myself. Because the apology always makes it look worse. It validates the story. 'It's been a truly awful past few months, having to keep my counsel and let the narrative that I'm some sort of weirdo run. 'I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things.' In the statement released on his behalf, the frontman of the Go Compare ads said: 'My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.' Two days prior to the photocall, Wynne's beloved big brother Huw, a barrister, had died - and Wynne admits he was a grieving mess. However, within 48 hours of the original story running, he was suspended by the BBC and axed from the tour. It was his 53rd birthday. He only found out he'd been fired after reading it in The Sun - and days later discovered his BBC pass was deactivated without warning. Plans for a second series of his popular BBC1 travelogue show with Joanna Page are also 'on ice'. Privately, the Gavin and Stacey star has supported him, visiting him at his West Wales home, he says. 9 9 While the term 'spit-roast' promises to haunt Wynne for ever, so will two further incidents which saw him hauled before bosses. The first, dubbed 'gropegate', came when he moved his hand over pro partner Katya Jones' waist in the Clauditorium. The other was when The Sun on Sunday revealed he had sent a sex toy to Jamie, which the EastEnders star was caught on camera laughing about. He deeply regrets both. Wynne explains: 'So the Katya thing was a body-language experiment. 'It came from TikTok where they post clips with experts analysing body language. "So Katya says to me, 'Why don't we create our own body-language experiment? Put your hand on my waist, I'll move it back, and let's see if people notice'. Naively, I said 'OK'. 'So we did it, we laughed, we went downstairs to make-up and my phone explodes and I look at it . . . and let me tell you the body-language experiment worked. "So we quickly made a video explaining it, went to the BBC and the BBC press team said, 'No it's too long, do another video, do a short one, just say I'm sorry and get on with it'. And that's what we did. 'That was a massive mistake because the video of me moving my hand got two million hits and the apology got eight million so it compounded the situation.' When told it gave him something of a reputation as a 'weirdo and a sex pest', he deadpans: 'Well that's kind of you to say.' He admits it was the 'catalyst that started everything'. Later, back on tour, the sex toy video also did for him. 9 Wynne Evans' Strictly scandals 'Grope' Wynne encountered a backlash after his Strictly pro partner Katya was filmed removing his hand from her waist. Fans insisted she looked uncomfortable as she moved it away – but Katya later insisted there was no problem. In joke They then sparked further fury, when she was seen refusing to high-five the Opera singer. The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent "inside joke". Crude joke Wynne came under fire for allegedly telling a "crude" joke to one of the show's make-up artists. Insiders claim the opera star made a joke that the folds of his double chin "looked like a vagina". A source said: 'It was a bit of a vulgar dad joke.' Wynne was recorded suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term "spit roast". His remark came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour, which pro Janette, 41, is hosting. He reportedly pulled a suggestive face at actor Jamie Borthwick as Janette moved between them — which is when Evans allegedly made the joke. Wynne has apologised saying: "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise." He sighs: 'Obviously in the light of everything else, it probably wasn't the most sensible thing to do. But we were in the dressing room, Jamie's talking about this sex toy, and everyone agreed with me we should send him one. I ordered it off Amazon. 'But it was a stupid joke that backfired, and I shouldn't have done it. I realise now you cannot make jokes like that in the workplace - it's deeply unprofessional. 'I'd be happy to go on any language and behavioural course that the BBC want to send me on. I'd be thrilled to go on a course that could save me from situations like this. "Society's changing so quickly and I'd be the first to say perhaps I've got it wrong on occasion. Unfortunately I wasn't offered a course like that. "All I want now is to focus on performing and get back to my radio show - I can't quite believe I've ended up here and I just hope everyone can read this and know I'm not a bad guy.' Wynne, a graduate of the prestigious Guildhall who has sung with Pavarotti and Placido Domingo during an illustrious 20-year career, says he has been inundated with support from his Strictly co-stars, including Janette. 'They've got it very, very wrong' He said: 'Everyone has been really supportive, every single person has written to me and said, 'I can't believe what you're going through'. "I've had supportive messages from everyone from JB to Shayne Ward to Michelle [Visage], to Aljaz [Škorjanec] and Janette. She texted me to say, 'Look after yourself and be strong'.' Last May the BBC launched a probe after a formal complaint from actress Amanda Abbington into Giovanni Pernice's behaviour. A raft of ex-contestants then came forward with their own horror stories. Another dancer, Graziano Di Prima was then fired after a video emerged of him kicking his partner Zara McDermott. Director General Tim Davie issued an unprecedented apology, and vowed to clean the show up. So does the Welshman think he's been made a scapegoat? Is he owed any apology from the BBC boss? And does he regret doing Strictly? He said: 'I wouldn't use that word and it's very difficult for the BBC because, historically, and by their own admission they've got it very, very wrong. "So now they have to investigate everything, and they have to be seen to investigate everything. Personally I don't think I was due an investigation but I understand why they've had to go through this process. 'It would be up to the DG if he wants to apologise to me but for me it wasn't quite the experience I was hoping for. 'I've spoken to some people who had a hard time on the show and like I say it's different personalities. 'I loved the dancing part, and I did do really well but the rest of it wasn't right for me with my personality and with depression. It wasn't the right thing. 'But I can see other people who have thrived on it, but for me it's not something I would do again. I wish I hadn't done it.' On the subject of depression, Wynne is a passionate campaigner for mental health charities. He previously spoke about a suicidal spell following his divorce from Tanwen in 2016 after 17 years of marriage, and has campaigned for the BBC on the topic. Diagnosed with clinical depression at his lowest, Wynne takes anti-depressants citalopram and pregabalin and admits he planned his own suicide. When you've got depression, my thing is I don't want to kill myself . . . I just don't want to be alive, and it took me to that place Wynne Evans However, he credits the NHS crisis team, who monitored him 24/7 for a month, for saving his life. Wynne, who is not being paid for this interview, says: 'I'll always be grateful to them, the NHS crisis team in Carmarthen. They came and they looked after me every day, and when they weren't with me, my friends were. 'When you've got depression, my thing is I don't want to kill myself . . . I just don't want to be alive, and it took me to that place. 'I just thought people want me to be dead and so I have to give them that. One day, it just got too much. I remember the crisis team were saying I couldn't keep myself safe, and to come into hospital. That's how bad it got. 'My friends would stay with me and they just took it in turns to sit at the end of the bed while I just lay there really because I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't do anything. 'One of the things I was disappointed with the BBC about is I've spoken openly about my mental health, I've made programmes for the BBC about it, done stuff for Mental Health Day. "I've done long interviews for them where I've talked about wanting to kill myself. 'Nobody should use that as an excuse if it's not what they're going through. But I've catalogued my mental health for years and I've been really open about it, so it was really hard and I felt like I was pushed to the real end. 'But I am feeling a lot stronger now, I'm so grateful for all the support I've had, and I am just desperate to get back to doing the thing I love - my BBC Radio Wales show.' Wynne credits the support and messages he has had from listeners as 'making a real difference'. BBC Studios, producers of the Strictly tour, did not comment. 9
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fresh crisis for Wynne Evans amid ongoing Strictly probe as star asks for ‘positive thoughts'
WYNNE Evans is facing a fresh crisis amid his ongoing Strictly probe. The opera singer asked for "positive thoughts" as he revealed yet another personal challenge. 4 4 Wynne, 53, has told fans his dog Ginny is on oxygen at the vets after "struggling to breathe". Sharing pics of his beloved pup, Wynne said: "This one is very poorly in hospital. Positive thoughts please." He added today: "Ginny still at the veterinary hospital having trouble breathing. "She's putting up a fight. "Will update soon." Wynne then shared another snap of Ginny from the vets. "Here's my poorly girl in hospital having oxygen," he said. This week Wynne returned to the public stage — despite a BBC investigation into his alleged sexual slur continuing. The former Strictly contestant was axed from the dance show's tour over an alleged sexual slur to professional dancer Janette Manrara. Wynne - who has stepped away from his BBC Radio Wales job - was cheered by guests as he spoke at a dinner to mark 59 years of Tenby Male Choir in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. Fresh twist in Strictly row as furious Wynne Evans sues producers after he broke foot & was told to keeping dancing GoCompare ad star Wynne hailed the 'wonderful' evening, during which he was elected their honorary president. The Welshman has always insisted he has done nothing wrong and said: 'It's been a manipulation and totally changing the narrative of private conversations.' 4 4
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Wynne Evans cheered on by guests at a dinner as Strictly star breaks cover to return to public stage amid ongoing probe
FORMER Strictly star Wynne Evans has returned to the public stage — as a BBC investigation into his alleged sexual slur continues. The opera singer, 53, was cheered by guests as he spoke at a dinner to mark 59 years of Tenby Male Choir in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. 2 2 GoCompare ad star Wynne hailed the 'wonderful' evening, during which he was elected their honorary president. The former Strictly contestant was axed from the dance show's tour over an alleged sexual slur to professional dancer Janette Manrara. The Welshman insisted he did nothing wrong and said: 'It's been a manipulation and totally changing the narrative of private conversations.' Writing on Facebook, he said: "Brilliant night celebrating 59 years of Tenby male voice choir who have amazingly made me their president." Supporters begged for him to return to his show on BBC Radio Wales. One said: "We don't understand why we can't hear you on Radio Wales Wynne- it's a disaster for all your listeners - just 'cos you had a sense of humour." Another added: "Looks like a good night, glad you enjoyed it Wynne Evans sending big hugs, miss you so much on the radio." In a statement earlier this month Wynne said: "Hi everyone. It's me. Lush to see the sun shining! Thank you everyone for your support I promise you I have done nothing wrong, it's been a manipulation and totally changing the narrative of private conversations by the press. He added: "I can't tell you how the 1000's of messages have kept me going. Love to you xxxx."
