Wynne Evans has submitted a dossier of evidence to the BBC in an attempt to clear his name amid an ongoing scandal surrounding comments made on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, a source has claimed.
The 53-year-old Welsh opera singer, famed for starring in the GoCompare adverts, was sacked from the Strictly live show after allegedly directing a crude sexual remark to Janette Manrara.
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during a live show last year
BBC
The dossier, seen by The Sun, includes videos and screenshots that friends say prove his innocence.
Soon after the claims were reported, Evans was adamant the remark was not about Manrara and that other stars on the tour were aware of this.
The Go Compare singer reportedly believes his reputation has been unfairly left “in tatters” despite deeply apologising for the remark.
A friend of Evans, who said the singer has been “thrown under the bus”, told the publication that the clip has been misinterpreted.
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The Go Compare singer reportedly believes his reputation has been unfairly left ‘in tatters’
BBC
“Wynne’s team have had the clip sent off to a cyber forensics team which has come back with a word nobody had previously picked up on before; they believe it changes everything.“
In it, he can be heard saying “old spitroast boy” to Jamie Borthwick. Allies of Evans claimed the reference to “old” and “boy” prove he was addressing Jamie and not making a crude sexual remark about Janette.
The friend instead said this was said in reference to Borthwick putting his legs above his head, which made him look like a spitroast chicken.
They claimed that he also had the backing of Manrara, who texted him telling him to “look after himself” and “take deep breaths”.
The presenter confirmed in January that he was “taking some time out” from his radio show and the Strictly tour “to prioritise my wellbeing” when the scandal broke.
Earlier this week, Borthwick and Evans were reprimanded by BBC bosses over a “shocking” sex toy video filmed backstage during the show’s live tour.
Earlier this week, Borthwick and Evans were reprimanded by BBC bosses over a “shocking” sex toy video filmed backstage during the show’s live tour
BBC
The footage shows EastEnders actor Borthwick brandishing a sex toy sent to him by opera singer Evans as a joke.
Borthwick then shared the offensive clip on the Strictly celebrities’ WhatsApp group, which was obtained by The Sun.
In the video, Borthwick explains that the toy was sent to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena reception by Evans.
The EastEnders actor turns the camera to show Wynne practising topless with professional dancer Neil Jones.
“Look at what he bought me. I opened it up and he surprised me with this, didn’t he? It’s so funny,” Borthwick said in the clip.
The controversial video was reportedly shared in the Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp group, which included other celebrity contestants who did not expect nor want to be part of such a sexually suggestive exchange.
BBC executives were quick to address the situation when they became aware of the footage.
“As soon as BBC executives were made aware of this shocking and immature footage being shared they formally addressed the issue and reminded the pair they had to act professionally,” a source told the publication.
