Katya Jones has ‘unfollowed’ Wynne Evans’ girlfriend Liz Brookes on Instagram after the couple’s rumoured split.
The opera singer, 53, confirmed on Tuesday that he had agreed with the BBC to ‘take some time out’ from his radio show and the Strictly Come Dancing live tour ‘to prioritise my wellbeing‘.
It was then reported later that day that Wynne had separated from his events manager girlfriend Liz, 50, after she was left ‘humiliated’ by his latest scandal. The pair began dating last year following the break up of his 16-year marriage.
After his withdrawal, his Strictly dance partner Katya took to social media to urge fans to ‘show humanity and compassion’, adding: ‘I will miss you my darling boy.’
Now, The Sun has revealed that Katya later ‘unfollowed’ Liz on social media after news of her split from Wynne broke.
The latest development comes after the Mail revealed a ‘troubling code of silence among Strictly stars’ after Wynne was caught on film by The Mail on Sunday making a vile sexual comment about It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara during a photocall to launch the tour.
Katya Jones has ‘unfollowed’ Wynne Evans’ girlfriend Liz Brookes on Instagram after the couple’s rumoured split (Wynne and Katya seen earlier this month)
It was then reported later that day that Wynne had separated from his events manager girlfriend Liz, 50, after she was left ‘humiliated’ by his latest scandal (Wynne and Liz pictured on Strictly)
Despite his tumultuous time on Strictly, Wynne’s girlfriend Liz supported him throughout his time on the show and was often spotted cheering him on from the audience and sharing a sweet snap of them together, where she gushed she was ‘proud’ of him.
However, according to The Sun, she was ‘humiliated’ by his scandals on the show last year – notably his awkward ‘hand wandering’ moment with dance partner Katya.
A TV insider has claimed that when the new broke about his latest X-rated remark, she was ‘relieved’ that they had split.
They told the publication: ‘Although she loyally stood by him in public, Liz was humiliated by what happened when he was on Strictly. She always knew he was a bit old school, and actually liked the fact he seemed rough round the edges. She just assumed it was all part of his charm.
‘It was very difficult for Liz, but she continued to back him throughout the rest of the contest, often being seen in the audience enthusiastically applauding him right up to him being knocked out in Blackpool week in November.
‘It’s not clear exactly when they split, but friends say that when his latest lewd gaffe was revealed at the Strictly Live Tour launch she was relieved they were no longer together.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Katya and Wynne for comment.
Wynne’s appearance on the tour was thrown into doubt when he was caught on film making a vile ‘spit roast’ remark.
The opera singer, 53, confirmed on Tuesday that he had agreed with the BBC to ‘take some time out’ from his radio show and the Strictly Come Dancing live tour ‘to prioritise my wellbeing’
After his withdrawal, his Strictly dance partner Katya took to social media to urge fans to ‘show humanity and compassion’, adding: ‘I will miss you my darling boy
Now, The Mirror has revealed that Katya later ‘unfollowed’ Liz on social media after news of her split from Wynne broke
It came after his appearance on the tour was thrown into doubt, when he was caught on film by The Mail on Sunday making a vile sexual comment about It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara during a photocall to launch the tour
The Welsh star, famed for playing a portly Italian opera singer in a string of insurance ads for Go Compare, later confirmed his departure from the Strictly live tour in a grovelling statement.
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.’
Professional dancer Katya, who was partnered with Wynne on Strictly, reposted the message and wrote: ‘Let’s show humanity and consideration.’
She added that she would miss Wynne in the post to her Instagram Stories.
During his Strictly stint, it was revealed that Wynne had found love again with Liz after the breakdown of his 16-year marriage left him contemplating suicide.
He’d previously admitted 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.
It has now been reported that Wynne has also separated from his girlfriend, events manager Liz Brookes, 50, who he began dating in the spring of last year following the break up of his 16 year marriage
According to The Sun, Liz was ‘humiliated’ by his scandals on the show last year – notably his awkward ‘hand wandering’ moment with dance partner Katya Jones (pictured with Katya during one of his last tour appearances at Glasgow Hydro on Sunday)
It comes after the Welsh star, famed for playing a portly Italian opera singer in a string of insurance ads for Go Compare, confirmed his departure from the Strictly live tour in a grovelling statement
But he then began a relationship with fitness fanatic Liz last year – who is said to have helped him lose weight ahead of Strictly.
A source told The Sun during his Strictly stint: ‘Wynne and Liz met at an event and are taking things slow, but he’s excited about where the relationship might go.
‘He is in a much better place now than when his marriage ended. It’s like night and day — and he is so happy.’
Liz was often there to watch him perform on Strictly and shared a picture to her Instagram saying she was ‘so proud of this one tonight’ after one show.
While Wynne later revealed on a podcast that she was helping him keep up his exercise regime, saying: ‘I go out running with my girlfriend and stuff and I feel much better for it.’
The Mail reported on Tuesday about a ‘code of silence’ amongst the other Strictly stars regarding Wynne’s vile remark – and revealed it could be because they want to protect the show after a year of scandal.
One show insider said: ‘They [the dancers] know Strictly is bigger than them and want to protect Strictly. It is their livelihoods.
‘And it’s not exactly good news for them when this stuff comes out – so it’s better to keep it happy and clappy.
‘There’s also a sense of loyalty because of all the show has done for them. It’s easier to push on.’
A member of staff at the Hilton Hotel at Albert Docks said on Tuesday night that Wynne had left the Strictly Live party ahead of his statement.
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.’
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)
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
A source told MailOnline that insiders were still awaiting instruction from the BBC regarding next steps.
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 reports of his axing emerged.
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 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’.
Wynne was seen on Monday in Liverpool city centre with Strictly co-stars Katya and Kai Widdrington
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 repeated warnings about his behaviour and told to rein it in. He’s not been taking it in, in this day and age the BBC have to be seen taking action and safeguard everyone,’ an insider has now told The Sun.
‘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.’
Wynne’s Strictly co-stars stars were said to be rallying around the Welshman on his 53rd birthday on Monday, after the BBC confirmed he’d been granted leave from his radio show.
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.’
Katya shared her love for the opera singer on her Instagram as she wished him a happy birthday on Thursday – despite him snubbing his own birthday celebrations
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’
He was expected to present his radio show on Monday morning, but in a statement, BBC Wales said that comedian Robin Morgan, who has covered for him in the past, would 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.’
The Go Compare star was caught on film by The Mail on Sunday making a vile sexual comment
Women’s rights campaigners also criticised his appearance.
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 was seen posing for pictures with host Janette and EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, 30, when he made the comment.
The reaction of Janette is unclear on the footage as she is momentarily obscured by other Strictly stars. But Jamie appears to wince as Wynne sniggers to himself.
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
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.’
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.’
Janette’s spokesperson 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.
