Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans fears his career could be over as friends admit: “He’s in a bad way.”
The star is “worried he could lose everything” after he was caught on film using a vulgar sexual phrase. It comes as Evans is said to be bracing himself for more examples of his “inappropriate” comments to emerge.
The BBC is under pressure to shelve his new travelogue, Wynne & Joanna: All At Sea, with Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page He has also stepped back from his BBC Wales radio show, and risks being dumped as the face of Go Compare. Friends say they are rallying around the star as they insisted he doesn’t deserve such a ferocious backlash.
The pal said: “At the end of the day, he has been a bit of an oaf and made a stupid mistake but does he deserve such hatred? Yes, using the term spit-roast was absolutely wrong, and he realises this. His problem is that he is a joker and he continually wants to play to the crowd."
Speaking about being caught on camera using the word "spit-roast" as part of a Strictly photocall, the pal added: "Jamie Borthwick is his mate and he was laughing and joking, and Katya plays along with the joke too. It’s just schoolboy comedy. He is more Jim Davidson than Peter Kay, and if anything, is more guilty of having a terrible sense of humour.”
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PA)It’s understood that his Go Compere deal is “up in the air” but that any chance of him going back onto the Strictly tour is non-existent. The pal added: “Talk of his career ending is premature - at the end of the day, his radio show is very popular, and he is very much liked. Everyone hopes he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
BBC bosses had initially let Evans off with a warning but caved in as anger grew by axing him from the live dates. The Welsh Opera singer apologised again for his behaviour. He said: “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.”
Over the weekend Evans apologised for using the sexual term during the tour launch photocall on January 16. The remark about a “spitroast” was allegedly directed towards professional dancer and TV presenter Janette Manrara. Evans said: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.” Bosses had hoped that would draw a line under the matter.
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Barn Media Ltd / BBC Cymru Wales)But it did not relieve any of the pressure and they finally ditched him from the tour. The Mirror told this week how the BBC felt the drama overshadowed the first episode of his new travel show. A source said: “The timing of this is deeply unfortunate. The comments were idiotic and have clearly overshadowed the first episode. What on earth was he thinking?” This isn’t the first time Evans has come under fire.
When he competed on Strictly with Katya Jones last year, viewers spotted her appearing to stop his hand from straying across her waist. The pair later said they were “just messing around” in what was a “very silly inside joke”.
The Mirror also revealed he was accused of making a vulgar joke while having his make-up done on the show. Sources claim Evans jested that the folds of his double chin “looked like a woman’s vagina”. No official complaints were made but some staff were less than pleased.
The source added at the time: “Wynne clearly didn’t mean any offence, but you have to be a little bit careful these days.” Professional dancer Katya reposted Evans’s latest apology and wrote: “Let’s show humanity and consideration.”
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