SILENT TREATMENT
Strictly’s Wynne Evans snubs co-star after tour scandal as he prepares to take BBC to tribunal
Wynne is gearing up for a legal battle against the BBC
STRICTLY'S Wynne Evans has snubbed a co-star after his axing from the live tour for telling a crude joke.
The 53-year-old opera singer has stepped back from the limelight after being dropped from the arena run for using the term "spit-roast" towards Janette Manrara and Jamie Borthwick during a media photocall.
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Wynne has since stopped following EastEnders star Jamie, who he was previously friends with, on Instagram. Actor Jamie does still follow Wynne.
During the live tour final, Jamie seemingly spoke out in defence of the show following its latest controversial behind the scenes storyline.
He said: "Strictly is such a fantastic show. The people on this show are amazing.
"And I think we all agree, as Strictly fans, that it should be protected and looked after because we love it and it brings so much entertainment to people."
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A representative for Wynne told The Sun: "When Wynne left the tour he unfollowed people who were posting about it purely to protect his mental health. Jamie was one of those people. There was nothing more to it than that."
It comes after we revealed the tenor feels he has been “knifed” by the BBC over his Strictly sacking and will not go down without a fight.
The Go Compare star is set to take the corporation to a tribunal as he believes his reputation has been unfairly left “in tatters”.
He wants to contest his dismissal last month after making a sexual comment about a “spit-roast” during the tour’s press launch.
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Execs at Go Compare, the insurance website which the Welshman has fronted since 2009, are understood to have held crisis meetings about him.
Wynne was also taken off air from his BBC Radio Wales show in the wake of the scandal.
Strictly Come Dancing Scandal
A source said: “Wynne’s reputation has been left in tatters and he wants to try to seek some recompense.
“He said he is going to a tribunal with the BBC and will fight with every breath in his body. Wynne feels he has been treated unfairly and won’t go down without a fight.
“As well as an unfair dismissal, Wynne thinks he has a case for loss of earnings, as well as a potential breach of contract. He is being advised by a legal team and thinks he has a strong case to take forward.”
Insiders said Wynne’s controversial “spit-roast” remark — which was captured on video — was not aimed at Strictly pro Janette as first thought.
He also feels that was known by others who were present at the photo call in Birmingham ahead of the dance show’s live tour.
Our source said: “Wynne knows the meaning behind his comment and, to his frustration, so do many of the professional dancers and celebrities who were on the tour with him.
"He is heartbroken by how this all played out and is upset that no one has spoken out to defend him publicly.
“He knows the language was unacceptable but, ultimately, the meaning behind what he said is not out there.
"It was an ‘in’ joke. It didn’t offend anyone and no one complained. Wynne feels badly let down by the whole process and some of his co-stars who he was incredibly close to.”
After footage of the comment emerged, he was warned about his conduct by the tour boss.
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But the BBC said in a statement it did not receive any complaints.
However, a day later he was told he was being kicked off the live shows.
A friend close to Wynne added: “Wynne feels like his sacking was a knee-jerk reaction to public commentary around the joke. He feels as though he's been thrown under the bus.”
Wynne, who earns around £200,000 a year from Go Compare as opera singer Gio Compario, also sparked controversy on the last Strictly series, when he was accused of “groping” his partner Katya Jones, 35, live on air.
Wynne was seen moving his hand along Katya’s waist before she appeared to swat it away.
Later the pair insisted it was a joke in a joint video message.
The Sun also revealed the BBC was aware of concerns about his use of inappropriate language on two other occasions.
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One was linked to his radio show while another was during filming of his new All At Sea TV series with actress Joanna Page.
The BBC refused to comment on the latest development.
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.”
Vile comment
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."
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