Wynne Evans has criticised the BBC for imposing a 50% pay cut, which he claims is unfair, following his departure from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour over crude sexual remarks. The Welsh opera singer, 53, is also battling to save his lucrative £1 million role as the face of Go Compare, a job that made him famous in 2009.
Evans was caught on camera making a shocking sexual comment to Janette Manrara during a photocall for the Strictly tour. A source said 'there was no going back' after the footage surfaced. The BBC insider noted that Evans had been 'warned repeatedly about his language, but the inappropriate remarks kept coming' and that his 'puerile remarks wore thin'.
As a result, Evans has split from his girlfriend Liz Brookers, 50, with a source stating: 'Liz was humiliated by what happened when he was on Strictly.' He has also taken time off from his BBC Radio Wales show and the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour, and his BBC travel show 'Wynne and Joanna: All At Sea', co-hosted with Joanna Page, is at risk.
In a statement, Evans 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 all my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.' He expressed deep regret for the distress caused and promised to use this period for introspection.
A BBC insider commented: 'It's been an incredibly difficult situation for all concerned. The BBC are damned if they do and damned if they don't. But in this day and age, it felt untenable to keep Wynne on the tour.' The insider also noted that a hiatus might prove beneficial for Evans's mental health.
