Katya Jones broke her silence on Wynne Evans’ Strictly Come Dancing withdrawal on Tuesday evening.
Following Wynne’s announcement, Katya, 35, said she’ll ‘miss her darling boy’ as she prepares to continue the tour without him.
She wrote on Instagram: ‘Let’s show humanity and consideration. I will miss you my darling boy.’
Wynne, 53, has agreed with the BBC to “take some time out” from his radio show and the Strictly Come Dancing live tour “to prioritise my wellbeing”, he confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
The BBC had previously refused to release a statement on whether or not he has been axed from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.
But the Welsh star, famed for playing a portly Italian opera singer in a string of insurance ads for Go Compare, has since announced his departure in a grovelling statement.
Katya Jones, 35, broke her silence on Wynne Evans’ Strictly Come Dancing withdrawal on Tuesday evening
Following Wynne’s announcement, Katya said she’ll ‘miss her darling boy’ as she prepares to continue the tour without him
She wrote on Instagram: ‘Let’s show humanity and consideration. I will miss you my darling boy’
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.’
A member of staff at the Hilton Hotel at Albert Docks said tonight that Wynne had left the Strictly Live party.
They said: ‘All the dancers arrived on late Monday evening. I only saw a few of them as most of them went straight to their rooms – but I was told Wynne was among them.
‘But by the time I came to work on Tuesday, I was told he’d gone.’
The Go Compare star was caught on film by The Mail on Sunday making a vile sexual comment about one of the show’s female hosts, it emerged on Saturday but his future on the tour has not been clarified at the time.
A source told MailOnline that insiders were still awaiting instruction from the BBC regarding next steps.
The Welsh star, 53, famed for playing a mustachioed Italian opera singer in a string of insurance ads for Go Compare, has announced his departure in a grovelling statement
The Go Compare star was caught on film by The Mail on Sunday making a vile sexual comment about one of the show’s female hosts, it emerged on Saturday but his future on the tour has not been clarified at the time
Wynne onstage with Katya Jones during one of his last Strictly tour appearances at the Glasgow Hydro on Sunday evening
The Sun reported earlier in the day that bosses were set to axe Wynne from the tour after he was given ‘repeated warnings about his behaviour’, adding that the BBC were due to release a statement.
There are 12 dates left on the schedule with the cast due to take to the stage at 7.30pm.
Despite the controversy, Wynne is expected to return to the BBC for his Welsh travel show All At Sea with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page on Tuesday evening.
Wynne’s brother Mark has expressed his ‘unwavering support’ for the star after it was reported he’s been axed from the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
In a statement posted on X, Mark Llewelyn Evans insisted that his brother has a ‘heart of gold’ amid the scandal and he’s standing by him during a ‘challenging time’.
He wrote: ‘As a brother, I want to express my unwavering support for him during this challenging time.’
Mark, a children’s book author and baritone performer, added: ‘Wynne has a heart of gold and the courage of a lion, paired with a talent that outshines most. His charisma and humour have brought joy to countless people. @BBCRadioWales @BBCTV.’
In January the pair were left devastated when they shared the shock news that their brother Huw had passed away.
Wynne’s brother Mark has expressed his ‘unwavering support’ for the star after it was reported he’s been axed from the Strictly Come Dancing tour
In a statement posted on X, Mark Llewelyn Evans insisted that his brother has a ‘heart of gold’ amid the scandal and he’s standing by him during a ‘challenging time’
In January, both Wynne and Mark were devastated as they shared the shock news that their brother Huw had passed away
Wynne wrote: ‘I’m so sad to say that my gorgeous eldest brother has passed away. My big brother was my hero and my inspiration.
‘Huw my darling I will miss you so much and am so glad I got to have you with me all my life.’
His brother Huw, who was a barrister, was the oldest of three boys from Carmarthen, South Wales.
The BBC have come under fire in recent days to take action after Wynne was caught on camera crudely suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, 41, using the hugely demeaning term ‘spit roast’.
On Monday, Wynne accepted the BBC’s offer to take time off from his BBC Wales show, which he has been hosting from regional studios while he has been taking part on the nationwide tour.
A source told MailOnline the break was sparked by the furore surrounding his comment, plus the fact he is still mourning his older brother Huw, combined with the physical toll of being on the road.
‘He’s had a tough time with the death of his brother and people should give him some slack, he is going to take this time off to do some self reflection.
‘He has a lot of support from a lot of the backstage dancers. It’s been a really sad ending to what has been a really fun tour.’
Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones sported a broad smile on Tuesday as she stepped out after publicly showing her support for under fire dance partner Wynne Evans
Meanwhile, her co-stars Tasha Ghouri [left] and Jowita Przystal were also seen out and about in the capital amid the storm surrounding Wynne
Chaos at the BBC as the broadcasting house had previously refused to confirm whether Wynne has been axed from the Strictly live tour following ‘repeated warnings about his behaviour’ (pictured on Sunday)
There are 12 dates left on the tour with the cast due to take to the stage in Liverpool at 7.30 tonight – Wynne pictured with his dance partner Katya Jones who have publicly supported him
Wynne’s Strictly co-stars stars were said to be rallying around the Welshman on his birthday, after the BBC confirmed he’s been granted leave from his radio show.
Wynne was comforted by his co-stars on his 53rd birthday on Monday, as they’re mindful of his fragile mental health.
An insider said: ‘Wynne is being supported by his co-stars, they’re making a big push to ensure he’s ok as they’re worried about his mental health.
‘He’s had a tough few days and with it being his birthday today, they’re making a real effort to show he’s not alone.’
He was expected to present his show on Monday morning, but in a statement, BBC Wales said that comedian Robin Morgan, who has covered for him in the past, will be presenting in his place while he takes some time off.
In an update on Sunday it was revealed that the presenter was ‘hauled over the coals’ and issued a final warning by bosses for the comment but there were calls for the BBC to take further action.
Ticket holders were stunned to see Wynne return to the stage on Sunday at the Glasgow Hydro for matinee and evening shows, which were hosted by Janette and included performances from her husband.
Laura Anne Goldie, 44, from Glasgow told the Mail: ‘It’ll make me feel completely different watching him this evening. It’s very ungentlemanly, I would say, and totally inappropriate… I definitely would be dropping him from the show.’
Women’s rights campaigners also criticised his appearance.
Wynne was seen on Monday in Liverpool city centre with Strictly co-stars Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington
Katya’s supportive posts to Wynne included a snap of him playing the piano as she sang along, with the dancer remarking: ‘Thank you for the music’
The Go Compare star was caught on film by The Mail on Sunday making a vile sexual comment
Dr Charlotte Proudman, founder of Right to Equality, told the Mail: ‘Welcoming Wynne Evans back into the workplace alongside the woman he objectified suggests sexualised comments about women carry no real consequences.
‘This decision forces the victim, and potentially other women, to share a professional space with someone who publicly degraded them, eroding trust in the workplace.’
She also said the BBC needs to answer ‘serious questions’ as its move suggests there is a ‘toxic culture’.
His gross comment came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour and swiftly earned a rebuke from BBC bosses who told him: ‘We will not tolerate such behaviour.’
Wynne’s crass comments came as he posed for pictures with Janette and EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, 30.
The reaction of Janette is unclear on the footage as she is momentarily obscured by other Strictly stars. But Borthwick appears to wince as Wynne sniggers to himself.
Wynne pulled out of a Glasgow performance of the Strictly tour on Saturday, citing an ankle injury. But he told The Mail on Sunday: ‘My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.’
A spokesman for BBC Studios and the Strictly Live tour producers said at the time: ‘We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints. We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour.’
Wynne – the tenor known for the Go Compare ads and a BBC radio presenter – was recorded crudely suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara
The incident 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 ten days ago, and brings new embarrassment to the BBC after a string of scandals.
In the MoS film Evans stands in the middle of a line-up of 20 celebrities and dancers as Janette, who hosts the TV spin-off Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, is summoned to join them. As she approaches, Wynne warns her with a grin: ‘Not too close to Jamie!’
He then pulls a suggestive face at the actor, behind Janette’s back, as she moves between them. It is at this point that Wynne makes his disgusting joke at her expense.
Seconds later, her dancer husband Aljaz Skorjanec, who was standing nearby, asks her: ‘Darling, are you OK?’ She replies curtly: ‘Yep.’
Manrara’s spokeswoman said the host had been ‘unaware of this comment by Wynne’ which was audible to our reporter filming with a mobile phone 20 yards away.
That his ‘spit-roast’ comment was made at a media event will infuriate Corporation bosses still struggling to repair Strictly’s tainted image following bullying complaints and junior staff’s claims of a ‘toxic’ behind-the-scenes culture.
Wynne was seen heading into Liverpool’s City Centre on Monday with his professional partner Katya Jones, after travelling to Merseyside for the next leg of the Strictly tour
The drama continued for Wynne on Monday night with the decision to air his new BBC travel show All At Sea sparking a fierce backlash
The drama continued for Wynne on Monday night with the decision to air his new BBC travel show All At Sea sparking fierce backlash.
An insider told The Mirror as the show aired’ that the timing of this is deeply unfortunate…the comments were idiotic and have clearly overshadowed the first episode. What on earth was he thinking?’
Viewers questioned why his show wasn’t postponed following his latest Strictly Come Dancing scandal.
Others demanded Wynne to ‘get off the telly’ in a furious rant on X amid the backlash surrounding an vile sexual remark.
Angry viewers wrote on X during his show: ‘Why are we being forced to endure Wynne Evans? Everyone hates the go compare ads but bbc seem determined to make him a thing. Whoever runs their old white man department needs a gentle chat’,
‘Just a thought BBC, but maybe this Wynne Evans #AllAtSea prime time claptrap could have been postponed for a while?’.
‘They’ve taken Wynne Evans off air for a joke, but this will be glossed over with likely no apology.’
During his Strictly stint last year it was revealed that Wynne had found love again after the breakdown of his 16-year marriage left him contemplating suicide.
Wynne was comforted by his co-stars on his 53rd birthday on Monday, as they’re mindful of his fragile mental health (pictured on Strictly last year)
Despite his tumultuous time on the show Wynne was supported by his new girlfriend Liz Brookes (pictured)
The opera singer has been in a relationship with events manager Liz Brookes, 50, since the start of last year.
Wynne previously revealed he hit ‘rock bottom’ in the midst of his depression, stemming from the end of his marriage to Welsh violinist Tanwen, the mother of his two children, in 2016.
They pair had first met on a British Youth Orchestra course, where Wynne was starring in a production of Robin Crusoe.
After the divorce he was forced to leave the family home he shared with their kids daughter Ismay, and son, Taliesin – moving into a ‘sad’ derelict house with boarded up windows in Cardiff as that was all he could afford at the time.
He said in a podcast interview last year that he house was in such a bad state when he moved in that the children even had to sleep in tents when they came to visit.
Speaking on The Starting Line podcast with Rich Leigh, he said: ‘It was a really sad house because it was derelict, and I moved here after a divorce.
‘I didn’t want to move here, I wanted to stay married. So I bought it and it just became sad. It was a sad place.’
Wynne offered to step down from the Strictly tour on Sunday before his departure was confirmed two days later.
She often supported him in the audience for the live shows and shared a sweet snap with him after the show where he caused controversy with Katya – saying she was ‘proud’ of him
Wynne previously revealed he hit ‘rock bottom’ in the midst of his depression , stemming from the end of his marriage to Welsh violinist Tanwen (seen together in 2011)
He canvassed the opinion of both celebrities and dancers on the tour after The Mail on Sunday revealed he made a vile sexual comment about Jeanette Manrara, the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour’s host.
But he decided to stay on temporarily and performed on Sunday night’s show in Glasgow, but following another round of talks with the BBC and the tour’s bosses on Monday, his birthday, it was decided Evans needed to step down for the sake of his mental health.
A tour insider told MailOnline: ‘Wynne was seriously considering leaving on Sunday. He asked his closest allies for advice and they were overwhelmingly supportive, encouraging him to stay on because he’s such a big personality and a popular figure within the ranks.
‘But the pressure was obviously rising externally and given his previous issues with his mental health, the sensible move was to walk away.
‘It’s a decision he didn’t take lightly as he loves the show and built up a huge rapport with his co-stars. However, he really just needs to focus on himself right and everybody connected can understand the decision.’
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