Katya Jones is supporting Wynne Evans (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)
Katya Jones has spoken for the first time since Strictly Come Dancing partner Wynne Evans left the official tour.
The pair formed a close friendship on the 2024 series of the BBC show and have been continuing to dance together across the UK, but this has now come to an end due to an ‘inappropriate comment’.
After Evans, 53, announced that he was stepping away Jones showed her clear support.
Reposting his original message, she asked fans to ‘show humanity and consideration.’
The 35-year-old professional dancer added: ‘I will miss you my darling boy.’
Jones then shared a video from a previous performance which showed opera singer Evans doing his version of Shirley Bassey’s This is my Life and wrote: ‘Really missed this tonight.’ Evans was not present at Tuesday evening’s show in Liverpool. The tour will continue without him until the final Strictly Come Dancing Live taking place at London’s 02 arena on February 9.
‘Let’s show humanity and consideration,’ requested Jones (Picture: Instagram/Katya Jones)
Shortly after Jones broke her silence, she was pictured arriving back at her hotel for the evening.
Still wearing her show makeup, she was dressed comfortably in an oversized grey jumper and holding a black coat. Draped over her shoulder was a Louis Vuitton bag.
Despite the circumstances, Jones was able to share a smile as she strided from the tour bus to her home for the evening.
Jones was still smiling (Picture: CJ.PICCS /AARON PARFITT / BACKGRID)
Jones arriving back at a hotel in Liverpool after the first tour date without Evans (Picture: CJ.PICCS/AARON PARFITT / BACKGRID)
In the short clip reshared by Jones, the tour’s host Janette Manrara, who was the subject of Evans’ remark earlier this month, is seen on stage with him.
He joked about having a threesome – or ‘spit roast’ – with the presenter during a photo call involving the whole cast. The incident at Birmingham Arena reportedly made EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick wince.
‘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,’ the BBC Radio Wales presenter wrote after reports about the joke began to circulate.
The remarks were made about the tour host (Picture: Instagram/Katya Jones)
‘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.’
A spokesman for BBC Studios and the Strictly Live Tour producers told Metro: ‘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 tour finishes in London on February 9 (Picture: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
In October, another joke by Evans led to criticism. On a live episode of Strictly, in front of around six million fans, Evans placed his hand on Jones’ waist and kept reaching it further around her midriff until she removed it with a smile on her face.
After the incident, Evans and Jones repeatedly denied that he engaged in any sort of ‘inappropriate’ behaviour or upset her at all. They also apologised for any offence it may have caused, but insisted it was an ‘inside joke’.
His girlfriend Liz Brookes publicly supported him, posting a picture of them on the Strictly dance floor and writing: ‘What a superstar!’ However, it’s claimed that the couple have now split and events manager Brookes feels ‘humiliated’.
In 2024 an ‘inside joke’ by Evans led to criticism (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Jones’ request for empathy comes as Evans grieves for older brother Huw who died earlier this month.
‘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,’ Evans wrote on Instagram at the time.
Mark Llewellyn Evans recently took to the social media platform to express his ‘unwavering support’ for Evans as he navigates a ‘challenging time’.
‘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,’ he shared.
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