Wynne Evans’ Strictly Come Dancing co-stars have shown their support for him after he apologised for making a vile sexual remark about presenter Janette Manrara.
The singer, 53, was sent birthday tributes by some of the show’s cast as he marked the occasion during the Strictly tour.
Wynne returned to the Strictly stage on Sunday after being forced to pull out of Friday’s show due to injury, and told the audience at Glasgow’s Hydro Arena he’d ‘not had the best day.’
Showing her support for Wynne, his professional dancer partner Katya Jones reposted a clip of their dance on Instagram.
Jowita Przystał also shared a birthday tribute for the Go Compare star, posting a clip of the show’s pros singing the Stevie Wonder hit to him.
Wynne was recorded crudely suggesting a three-way sex session with It Takes Two presenter and professional dancer Janette Manrara, using the demeaning term ‘spit roast’ during a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour.
Wynne Evans’ Strictly Come Dancing co-stars have shown their support for him after he apologised for making a vile sexual remark about presenter Janette Manrara
The Welsh opera singer has been issued a final warning by infuriated bosses after he was caught making a vile sexual jibe about female host Janette Manrara
The video also showed Manrara’s husband and Strictly professional dancer, Aljaz Skorjanec, at the shoot.
After The Mail on Sunday revealed the footage, Evans pulled out of Saturday night’s tour date in Glasgow, citing an ankle injury, and was summoned before Strictly tour bosses.
An insider said: ‘Wynne was hauled over the coals for his unacceptable language and was told in no uncertain terms that it would not be tolerated and this was his final warning. It was a proper dressing-down.
‘Wynne also gave a grovelling apology to Janette and her furious husband, Aljaz.’
A spokesman for BBC Studios and the Strictly live tour producers said: ‘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.’
Despite this Wynne returned to the Strictly tour stage at the Glasgow Hydro yesterday for matinee and evening shows, which were hosted by Ms Manrara and included performances from her Strictly professional husband Aljaz Skorjanec.
The move to welcome back the star on the tour was condemned by women’s rights campaigners, who criticised the BBC following a string of scandals including allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour by Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace.
Despite the scandal, Wynne’s Strictly co-stars showed their support for him, with Katya Jones reposting a clip of their performance in Glasgow on Sunday
Jowita Przystał also shared a birthday tribute for the Go Compare star on Monday, posting a clip of the show’s pros singing the Stevie Wonder hit to him
A spokesman for BBC Studios and the Strictly live tour producers said: ‘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’
Dr Charlotte Proudman, the founder of the Right to Equality, told the Mail: ‘Welcoming Wynne Evans back into the workplace alongside the woman he objectified suggests that sexualised comments about women carry no real consequences, leaving women feeling unsafe and unprotected.’
‘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.
‘Serious questions need to be answered by the BBC. It suggests there is a toxic culture at the BBC where women are expected to endure sexist humiliating behaviour, rather than being supported and safeguarded.
‘True accountability means prioritising equality, safety, and consequences for misconduct.’
After his comment came to light, Evans said: ‘My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.’
Evans competed on Strictly with Katya Jones last year, where viewers spotted her forcibly stopping his hand from straying across her waist.
He later tried to give his partner a high five but she shot him a scathing look, rolled her eyes and turned away.
After viewers commented on this, Evans and Jones said they were ‘just messing around’ in what was a ‘very silly inside joke’.
