Wynne Evans, the Welsh tenor and former Go Compare frontman, has broken his silence on the series of controversies that engulfed him during and after his 2024 appearance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. In a heartfelt and emotional interview on ITV's This Morning on June 11, 2025, Evans opened up about the severe mental health toll the public backlash took on him, revealing that at his lowest point he contemplated ending his own life.
Evans, 53, appeared alongside hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley to discuss the turbulent aftermath of his Strictly stint, which was marked by several headline-grabbing incidents. From the outset, his experience on the show was far from the 'fabulous' journey many celebrities enjoy. One of the earliest controversies arose when he was caught on live television sliding his hand across professional partner Katya Jones' waist during rehearsals, only for her to push his hand away. Evans insisted that the moment was a planned joke between the two, with Katya even dragging him in front of cameras to test if anyone would notice. "Katya said to me, 'Right, you put your hand on my waist, I'll move it back, we'll see if anybody picks it up.' And boy, did they pick it up," he explained.
Despite this explanation, the incident sparked widespread criticism and online backlash, prompting Evans and Jones to film an apology video. However, the BBC allegedly forced them to cut the original 50-second clip down to just 10 seconds, a move Evans felt made the apology appear insincere, likening it to a "hostage style video."
Another scandal that haunted Evans was a misinterpreted comment during a Strictly photocall, where he was accused of directing the offensive term "spit roast" at fellow professional dancer Janette Manrara. Evans clarified that the comment was actually a crude nickname aimed at co-star Jamie Borthwick, who was known for his flexibility. The phrase was taken out of context by reporters who edited the audio to remove key words, twisting the meaning entirely. "Janette didn’t hear it, and there have never been any complaints about me," Evans said, expressing his shock and mortification at how the narrative spiraled out of control.
Adding fuel to the fire, a video surfaced showing Evans sending a sex toy to Jamie Borthwick, which was meant as a private joke among friends backstage during the Strictly live tour. Evans admitted, "It was a joke that went too far. I ordered one off Amazon, and as soon as it arrived, it never left the dressing room; it went straight in the bin. The joke was over." Unfortunately, Borthwick later shared the video publicly, reigniting criticism and resulting in Evans being axed from the Strictly tour.
Throughout the interview, Evans repeatedly emphasized his naivety rather than victimhood, acknowledging mistakes but stressing that the media frenzy was relentless and deeply damaging. Cat Deeley described the media storm as "relentless," to which Evans responded with visible emotion, revealing that the constant negative headlines dragged him into "the darkest spot" of his life. "I was at my lowest ebb, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people," he admitted tearfully. He recalled telling his girlfriend, "I have to kill myself. I have to because this is what they want." The same outlets that once championed kindness, he said, turned on him with unyielding ferocity.
Evans has battled clinical depression since 2016, but the aftermath of Strictly exacerbated his condition severely. He was monitored by a crisis team for a month, and his friends, family, and girlfriend organized a 24-hour rota to ensure he was never alone during his darkest hours. Despite this, he expressed disappointment in the BBC's handling of his mental health, saying, "I haven’t heard from the BBC since I got suspended, personally, they've only spoke to my lawyers." While the BBC issued a statement claiming they provided comprehensive duty of care—including access to wellbeing professionals and a designated contact—Evans said he was unaware of these supports and feared that mental health initiatives sometimes amounted to little more than lip service.
In late May 2025, the BBC chose not to renew Evans' contract, ending his tenure on BBC Radio Wales and effectively cutting ties with the star. He only learned of his dismissal after reading about it in The Sun newspaper, and days later discovered his BBC pass had been deactivated without notice. In an emotional statement to his fans, he said, "My beloved Wynners, from the very depths of my heart — thank you. These past few months, your love has been the light in my darkest days." He described his radio show as "not just work — it was home," lamenting the loss of a community where "we laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening."
Despite the turmoil, Evans shared a personal milestone: his engagement to girlfriend Liz Brookes during a holiday in Marrakesh, Morocco, over the weekend of June 8-9, 2025. Posting on Instagram with a mix of humor and joy, he wrote, "Big news… I got engaged! Somewhere between the couscous, the camels, and me limping around the souks like a man with no spatial awareness, I proposed to Liz — and she said yes! (No take-backs, I’ve checked.)"
Looking ahead, Evans expressed regret over his decision to join Strictly Come Dancing, calling it "not a safe environment for me," though he cherished the friendships he made on the show. He is now launching a new venture: The Wynne Evans Show, a self-produced radio program airing weekdays from 9am to 12pm on his own website, starting June 16, 2025. "I’m happy to be moving on," he said, signaling a fresh start after a tumultuous chapter.
Wynne Evans' story is a poignant reminder of the intense pressures public figures face in the age of social media and relentless scrutiny. His candidness about mental health, the pitfalls of fame, and the struggle to find support resonates widely, highlighting the urgent need for genuine care beyond policies and statements. As he embarks on this new phase, Evans' resilience shines through, bolstered by the love of those closest to him and a renewed sense of purpose.
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