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Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans takes swipe at BBC over apology 'that is not true'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Wynne Evans took a swipe at the BBC on Wednesday's This Morning as he spoke about the Strictly Come Dancing scandal. Just last month, the Welsh opera singer, 53, revealed he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Talking about the Strictly scandal on Wednesday's This Morning, Wynne said of the video and "inappropriate language" used: "I was talking to Jamie Borthwick, I had this nickname for him, which was 'old' and then the word in question and 'boy'. So I used to call him this because he could contort his legs over his head!" Wynne then claimed that the nickname, which was recorded without his knowledge, was taken and given its "own narrative," spinning into the Strictly scandal, in which the words "old" and "boy" were removed. (Image: ITV) He said: "Which you can absolutely see on the video, it's absolutely crystal clear, and when we've had the volume looked at, you know, the words are there. They're there for everybody to see. "Even though I'm looking at Jamie, they claim that I'm directing this word at Janette [Manrara]. This has totally been taken out of context, absolutely. "The narrative is so wrong on it, in fact, when I saw the narrative in the newspaper, I was just shocked and horrified because instead of a nickname with another word for rotisserie in it… You know, because this guy could get his legs behind his head like a chicken, it's turned into this sexual innuendo. I was mortified, absolutely mortified by it." Wynne explained how he spoke with Janette after the incident was reported in the press: "I spoke with Janette as you know afterwards and A, she didn't hear it and B, there has never been any complaints about me ever… How can somebody take a narrative and change it and you know, everybody just believe it?" Later during the interview, Wynne claimed that the apology, which was released, wasn't approved by him, saying he was concerned it looked like he had validated the story. (Image: BBC) In a statement from the BBC read out by host Ben Shephard, it said: "The apology issued on Wynne's behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday, 25th January was fully approved by Wynne." Wynne responded live on air, claiming, "No, that's not true. I got no email, and it was not fully approved by me at all." Later in the interview, Wynne emotionally admitted that the "relentless" Strictly scandal left him suicidal, and he was supported by his family. He said, "I was at my lowest, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't of been surrounded by people." Recalling one emotional moment with his girlfriend, whom he got engaged to over the weekend, Wynne said: "I remember saying to my girlfriend: 'I have to kill myself, I have to...'" to which he choked back tears live on air. (Image: Instagram) Talking about how his friends and family have supported him, he said, "I was on the crisis team for a month, and they just looked after me the whole time. "My friends, family, and girlfriend had a rota so they could be with me 24 hours a day, sitting up with me because it was just so relentless." He added: "They've [my family] been utterly brilliant and my girlfriend has been fantastic as well." Host, Cat Deeley, then asked: "How have the BBC been?" Wynne responded, "I haven't heard from them since I got suspended. Personally, I haven't heard from them. I don't know; they've only spoken to my lawyers." This Morning host, Ben, read another statement from the BBC which said in response to Wynne's claims: "We provided comprehensive duty of care for Wynne that included support by wellbeing professionals. "He was also provided with direct access to a designated contact at the BBC who was available to assist him at anytime. Plus he has been offered continued support since his contract with the BBC concluded." Ben then asked, "Were you aware that you had that option?" Wynne responded, "No, I wasn't aware!" Reach PLC has contacted BBC for comment. *If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Wynne Evans says Strictly controversy took him into 'darkest spot' of his life
Opera singer Wynne Evans became emotional as he recalled the controversy around his time in Strictly Come Dancing, saying it took him into the "darkest spot" of his life. 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 an apology saying that he used "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. The apology came after the Mail On Sunday reported in January that he aimed a sexual joke at one of the other professional dancers, Janette Manrara. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, he claimed the story was taken out of context and that he was talking to fellow contestant, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick. He said: "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. "When I saw the narrative in the newspaper, I was just shocked and horrified." He added that the nickname was "unsuitable" and "inappropriate" and claims that he was misrepresented. This comes after Borthwick was suspended from the BBC when a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. Evans added 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 got visibly emotional and said it took him to the "darkest spot" of his life. "I was at my lowest ebb. I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people. 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. Evans announced his engagement to his girlfriend Liz Brookes, after proposing during a holiday to Morocco last weekend.
