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Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025 'line-up leaked' as bosses face 'fear' ahead of new series
BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025 'line-up leaked' as bosses face 'fear' ahead of new series The BBC are said to be taking no risks with the 2025 line-up of Strictly Come Dancing as they are desperate to avoid any scandal ahead of the new series "Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour 2025" in january (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. (Image: Getty Images ) BBC chiefs are reportedly gripped by a "terrible, terrible fear" that Strictly Come Dancing could be marred by scandal once more this year, prompting them to vet contestants rigorously for the upcoming series. The popular dance show has been hit by startling headlines in recent times, and the latest incident involves EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, who is participating in the 2024 series. He was suspended by the BBC for using an offensive term towards disabled individuals during filming in Blackpool. This follows the controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice, after his dance partner Amanda Abbington accused him of bullying and aggressive behaviour, leading the broadcaster to initiate an internal probe. In May, radio presenter Wynne Evans announced his departure from the BBC following the non-renewal of his contract. Evans had previously issued an apology for what he termed an "inappropriate and unacceptable" comment made at the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing live tour in December, which was directed at professional dancer and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara. In an effort to avoid any further issues, the BBC is determined to ensure a 'risk-free' line-up for the next season. Among those being considered are Blue Peter hosts Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan, as well as Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla, reports the Mirror. Georgia Toffolo, the queen of I'm a Celebrity Jungle, is rumoured to be in the running, as is Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts. Reports suggest that newlywed and former Love Island star Dani Dyer is under consideration, with ex-Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan also on the list of potential candidates. Article continues below "There is a terrible, terrible fear among those high up that these awful things are going to keep happening and the show will be brought into disrepute again and again," a BBC insider is reported to have revealed to MailOnline. "With that in mind, they are taking no chances. "Stringent checks will be carried out, along with inquiries and investigations into the backgrounds of potential stars to ensure that no one who could tarnish the show's reputation is chosen. For years, there was the infamous Strictly 'curse', where contestants and professionals were embroiled in affairs. But that has ceased. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. However, there have been other issues in recent years. What's even more embarrassing for the BBC is that Wynne and Jamie are from their own roster of stars. Moving forward, those at the helm want a wholesome image to prevail. No more scandal – just joy." Over the weekend, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick expressed his deep regret for using a derogatory term about disabled people. This shocking revelation comes six months after his stint on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing - which is when the alleged incident is believed to have occurred. The actor, aged 30, has been a fixture on EastEnders since 2006, portraying the character Jay Brown. However, he is currently suspended from the soap following the emergence of a video in which he uses offensive language, allegedly shared amongst friends. He has issued a heartfelt apology, as reported by The Sun on Sunday, stating: "I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly. Article continues below "I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely. "Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong." He further extended his apologies to the people of Blackpool and reiterated his regret over his choice of words. A representative of the star was contacted by The Mirror for comment.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wynne Evans' 'heartbreak' as he breaks silence about Strictly scandal
Wynne Evans' 'heartbreak' as he breaks silence about Strictly scandal In an exclusive interview the Welsh opera singer claims the sexual comment he made was not what it seemed Strictly star Wynne Evans has broken his silence (Image: BBC ) Strictly star Wynne Evans has broken his silence on his controversial "spit roast" comment and has claimed he was forced to apologise. The 53-year-old Welsh presenter and opera singer has now denied it was a sexual remark about a female presenter in an exclusive interview with the Sun. In January, Wynne Evans was caught on camera allegedly suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara. He has now broken his silence and spoken directly to the press, telling The Sun how the entire situation has "been heartbreaking." Wynne said: "'Spit-roast boy' was a nickname we all gave 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." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter The comment came before the launch of the Strictly live tour, and Wynne was suspended from the tour, and stepped back from his BBC show. BBC bosses told him at the time: "We will not tolerate such behaviour." Article continues below 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 "Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour 2025" photocall at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on January 16, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images ) However, Evans has now insisted he used the term 'spit roast' as a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick. Wynne Evans issued a statement apologising in response, and took some time off of social media. He said: 'My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.' Though now he claims he did not see the statement before it was published online. He explained his initial reaction to finding out he had offended someone was "Oh God, I'm so sorry" but this was taken as a formal apology by the press team. Evans said the apology "validated the story and made it look worse". Evans, who suffers with clinical depression, told the Sun that in the weeks following he was placed on 24/7 suicide watch by a crisis team after the incident which has completely derailed his career. The past few months he described as "truly awful" and said that he was not a misogynist or a bad person. Evans claims that his errors on Strictly Come Dancing were simply pranks that had backfired. He also claimed that he only found out he had been fired from Strictly after he read about it in the newspaper. Katya Jones and Wynne Evans during their appearance on the live show of Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing show on BBC One. (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire ) The 'spit roast' comment was captured on video and audio by a Mail on Sunday reporter at the official launch of this year's tour at the Birmingham Arena. In addition to this scandal, Wynne was also accused of a series of serious sexual harassments, including "groping" his dance partner Katya Jones, 35 by moving his hand over her waist in the Clauditorium, though Evans and Ms Jones later said they were "just messing around" and that it was an inside joke. On April 14, publications such as the Sun and the Independent published further allegations about the opera star, saying that he and Jamie Borthwick were caught on video showing the pair joking backstage about a sex toy that Evans had reportedly sent to the EastEnders star. Article continues below Though Wynne Evans posted on Facebook addressing the claims on May 1, stating that he has "done nothing wrong" and that it is the media "manipulating" and "changing the narrative of private conversations" to make him look a certain way. WalesOnline has also contacted BBC Studios for comment.
