In a twist that has left fans and critics alike reeling, Wynne Evans, the Welsh opera singer and beloved Go Compare advert star, has made an unexpected return to BBC screens following a dramatic exit from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour earlier this year. The 53-year-old’s reappearance comes hot on the heels of a scandal involving lewd comments that saw him axed from the tour and suspended from his BBC Radio Wales show, raising questions about his future with the broadcaster. With emotions running high and public opinion sharply divided, Evans’ comeback is poised to reignite debates about accountability, redemption, and the BBC’s handling of controversy. Here’s everything you need to know about this sensational turn of events.
The Fall from Grace
Wynne Evans was riding high in 2024 after a successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing, where he was paired with professional dancer Katya Jones. The duo charmed audiences with their chemistry and made it to the iconic Blackpool week before being eliminated. Following the series, Evans joined the 2025 Strictly live tour, a nationwide spectacle that brings the glitz of the ballroom to arenas across the UK. But what should have been a triumphant victory lap quickly turned into a nightmare when footage emerged of Evans making a crude remark at the tour’s press launch in Birmingham on January 16, 2025.
The incident occurred during a photocall as tour host Janette Manrara posed between Evans and fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick. According to The Mail on Sunday, Evans was recorded using the term “spit roast”—a vulgar slang for a three-person sexual act—prompting immediate backlash. Manrara’s husband, Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec, was nearby and reportedly asked her if she was okay, to which she curtly replied, “Yep.” While Manrara’s spokesperson later claimed she was unaware of the comment at the time, the damage was done. Tour producers issued Evans a stern warning, and the BBC made it clear they “do not tolerate such behaviour.”
Days later, on January 28, Evans announced he was stepping back from the tour, his BBC Radio Wales show, and other public commitments to “prioritise my wellbeing.” In a grovelling statement, he said, “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise. I am deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused.” The fallout was swift: Go Compare reportedly held crisis meetings about his £200,000-a-year advert deal, and fans took to social media to express outrage, with some calling for him to be “axed from TV entirely.”
A Career in Jeopardy
The scandal couldn’t have come at a worse time for Evans. Alongside the Strictly tour, he had just launched a new BBC travel series, Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page. The six-part show, which premiered on January 27, 2025, followed the pair exploring the Welsh coast. Despite the timing, the BBC pressed ahead with the broadcast, a decision that enraged some viewers. “Why are we being forced to endure Wynne Evans?” one X user fumed, while another demanded, “Get him off my telly!” Bookmakers even slashed odds to 1/8 that the show wouldn’t see a second series, with some predicting it might not survive its initial run.
Behind the scenes, Evans was reportedly devastated. Sources close to the star told The Sun he felt “knifed” by BBC bosses and believed his reputation had been “left in tatters” unfairly. He hired a crisis PR expert and a top-tier legal team, preparing a 30-page dossier to defend himself. Insiders claimed the “spit roast” remark was an “in-joke” known to tour colleagues, not directed at Manrara, and that no formal complaints had been lodged at the time. “Wynne knows the meaning behind his comment, and so do many of the pros and celebs on the tour,” a friend told The Sun. “He’s heartbroken no one has publicly defended him.”
Evans’ personal life also took a hit. Reports surfaced that he had split from his girlfriend, Liz Brookes, amid the scandal, though later accounts suggested she was standing by him. The pressure mounted as he stepped away from his radio show, with comedian Robin Morgan filling in, and speculation grew that the BBC might sever ties permanently. Brand expert Nick Ede warned MailOnline that “if he makes another negative move, the BBC may have no choice but to cut him loose.”
The Unexpected Return
Fast forward to March 28, 2025, and Wynne Evans stunned viewers by reappearing on BBC screens. The surprise comeback came during a repeat airing of a 2023 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip episode featuring Evans and Joanna Page, which he gleefully promoted on Instagram. “Great to see this on the BBC tonight, catching on BBC iPlayer,” he captioned a screenshot, signaling a defiant return to the public eye. The move caught many off guard, especially as reports suggested he was still gearing up for “showdown talks” with BBC bosses over his Radio Wales role and the fallout from the Strictly scandal.
The timing of his return—less than three months after his exit from the tour—has sparked intense debate. For some, it’s a sign of resilience. “Wynne’s a joker who made a mistake,” a friend told The Mirror. “His career will recover—he’s too popular to be cancelled over this.” Supporters, including Strictly co-star Katya Jones, who called him “my darling boy” and urged fans to “show humanity,” have rallied behind him. Others, however, see it as a misstep by the BBC. “They’re sending the wrong message by platforming him so soon,” one critic tweeted. “Where’s the accountability?”
The 53-year-old star is reportedly preparing for showdown talks with the Beeb following his scandal hit time on the dancing show.
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Wynne Evans appeared on the BBC last night in Celebrity Antiques Road TripCredit: Instagram
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Wynne, pictured with Katya Jones, feels he has been ‘knifed’ by the BBC over his Strictly sackingCredit: The Mega Agency
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What Happened Behind Closed Doors?
So, how did Evans secure this comeback? While the BBC has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on his return, sources suggest a combination of legal maneuvering and public sentiment may have played a role. In February, The Standard reported that Evans was planning to take the BBC to a tribunal, feeling his axing from the tour was a “knee-jerk reaction” to public outcry rather than a fair process. Armed with his dossier and legal team, he argued the comment was misconstrued and that the lack of formal complaints should have spared him such severe punishment.
It’s possible the BBC, wary of a protracted legal battle, opted for a soft relaunch via a pre-existing program rather than a high-profile new project. The Antiques Road Trip episode, filmed long before the scandal, offered a low-risk way to test the waters. Meanwhile, Evans has hinted at a broader fight to clear his name. In an April 1 Instagram post, he shared cryptic messages about “the truth” alongside a selfie, writing, “The truth will out,” suggesting he’s still pushing back against the narrative that’s defined the past few months.
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Wynne has reportedly been axed from his lucrative GoCompare advert dealCredit: Rex
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Wynne, circled, made an inappropriate comment on a Strictly media day
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Wynne insisted his crude comment was an in-jokeCredit: PA
The Bigger Picture
Evans’ saga taps into larger questions about cancel culture, workplace conduct, and the BBC’s response to controversy. The broadcaster has faced scrutiny in recent years over Strictly scandals, including allegations against dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima in 2024, prompting new welfare measures like chaperones in rehearsal rooms. Evans’ incident, while less severe, added fuel to the fire, with some arguing the BBC overreacted to avoid further PR damage, while others insist it didn’t go far enough.
For Evans, the stakes are personal and professional. His Go Compare deal hangs in the balance, with reports suggesting the brand may drop him from future ads. His Radio Wales show, a cornerstone of his career, remains in limbo, though fans hope his return to TV signals a thaw in relations with the BBC. “He absolutely loves that job,” a source said. “Stepping back was heartbreaking for him.”
What’s Next?
As of April 1, 2025, Wynne Evans is back in the spotlight, but his future remains uncertain. Will this cameo pave the way for a full BBC reinstatement, or is it a fleeting reprieve before more fallout? Fans are watching closely, with some predicting a triumphant return—perhaps even a second series of All at Sea—while detractors warn that another misstep could end his tenure for good. “He’s hanging on by a thread,” Nick Ede told MailOnline. “All eyes are on him now.”
One thing is clear: Wynne Evans’ unexpected return has reignited the drama that defined his 2025. Whether it’s a redemption arc or a reckless gamble, the Welsh tenor’s next move will determine if he can reclaim his place on the box—or if the lewd comments scandal will cast a shadow too long to escape. Stay tuned to the BBC this spring to see how this explosive chapter unfolds—because with Wynne Evans, the show is far from over.
