Wynne Evans, the beloved opera singer widely recognized for his role in the GoCompare adverts, has made his exit from Strictly Come Dancing 2024 during the iconic Blackpool Week Results Show. This marked the 52-year-old's departure as he and his dance partner Katya Jones found themselves against Olympian Montell Douglas and professional dancer Johannes Radebe after landing in the bottom two.
During the nail-biting show on November 17, Evans and Jones did their Charleston to ‘Carmen Suite No. 1: 5. Les Toreadors' by Georges Bizet, hoping the judges would favor their performance. Unfortunately for them, the judges chose to save Douglas and Radebe, who had performed their Salsa to Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston.
After their second dance, the judging panel—comprising Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas—unanimously opted to eliminate Evans and Jones, sealing their fate on the show. This decision left Evans reflecting on his time on the competition fondly. When asked about his experience, he remarked, “It's been wonderful, I’ve got to say. I feel like it's what Strictly is all about. If I can come and do Strictly and last until week nine, then anybody can get out there and dance and have a brilliant time.”
Evans emphasized the sense of family he felt during his time on the show, underscoring the importance of the Strictly community. “Strictly is such a brilliant family, such a precious family, and I want everybody here and at home to look after it for the generations to come because it is such a wonderful thing,” he continued, radiantly appreciative of the experience.
Katya Jones echoed Evans's sentiments during the results show. She stated, “To be honest with you, the smile hasn't left my face since the first day of our training, since the day we got partnered up.” She praised Evans, saying, “You have made this experience so joyous and so full of laughter for me. I'm sure everybody was jealous because you're the kind of guy everyone wants in their life. You bring light, laughter, and charisma. You fill up every room you walk in with those qualities.”
The duo’s time on the show wasn’t without controversy. Earlier in the series, they faced backlash due to what they called a “running joke” which involved Jones moving Evans’s hand from her waist. This generated discussions about boundaries and perceptions following heightened scrutiny on the popular series. Evans, who spoke candidly on his radio show, expressed he felt “heartbroken” by the controversy and believed the moment had been misinterpreted.
Despite the challenges, their partnership proved to be incredibly fruitful. Evans stated, “To have been partnered with Katya has been amazing. Coming every Saturday night to hang out with these guys has been wonderful, but to spend every weekday dancing has been just fantastic. I’ve grown so much and I'm so thankful to have met this person.”
The show's atmosphere was lively, featuring not only the competitive dances but also entertainment from iconic performers such as Pet Shop Boys, who debuted their new single, All The Young Dudes during the show. Following the results of the eliminations, the remaining seven couples will continue to compete as the series progresses, adding more excitement and drama to the much-loved dancing competition.
Overall, Wynne Evans’s time on Strictly Come Dancing was marked by positivity, underscored by supportive relationships, and continued growth. Despite his exit, he leaves behind heartfelt memories and inspiration for future contestants eager to join the ranks of this illustrious competition. Strictly Come Dancing will continue with its next live broadcast on November 23, 2024 at 7.05 PM on BBC One, and the results show will air the following evening. The excitement does not end here, as next week will see the couples participate in the much-anticipated Samba-Thon, alongside showcasing brand-new routines.
