Wynne Evans should have been nowhere near the Strictly Tour

I had suspected it was only a matter of time before Evans’ so-called jokes got him into trouble again (Picture: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock)

‘Good riddance!’

That was my initial response when a friend forwarded the news story about Wynne Evans parting ways with the Strictly Come Dancing tour after sickening sexualised comments to It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara were caught on camera.

Frankly, I had always suspected that it was only a matter of time before Evans’ so-called jokes got him into trouble again.

Partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones, Evans, the operatic voice of the infamous Go Compare adverts, first caused an uproar on the show after appearing to grope Jones’ waist during a live show. 

The clip of Jones smiling through a grimace as she carefully moved Wynne’s hand away from her waist went viral. The pair quickly apologised and insisted it was ‘an inside joke.’

As someone who has seen and heard their fair share of such lewd comments in the workplace, I know that unchecked ‘jokes’ have the potential to escalate into more blatant sexual innuendo if no one steps in. 

I was appalled this had been allowed to happen and that the BBC hadn’t stepped in sooner to address Evans’ behaviour amid a number of scandals that clouded his time on the 22nd series of the primetime show. 

Frankly, I had a bad feeling about Evans from that first ‘joke’, and I think it is because I’ve confronted sexualised comments in workplaces in the past. 

In a previous job, in an office, I had questions from colleagues about my love life, saying I looked like ‘I knew how to have a good time’ with a comedy wink. 

One who was terrible at remembering names called me ‘Jugs’ because that was apparently my nickname among his colleagues.

When I complained, my line manager told me he was ‘harmless.’ 

I became jumpy and anxious at work and started having nightmares about being assaulted at my desk. 

Of course, no one is accusing Wynne of assault, but his time as a contestant on the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing seemed, to me, to be littered with red flags, and with the BBC still recovering from a number of scandals around presenters’ behaviour, I think action should have been taken far sooner. 

Despite both Wynne and Katya insisting the ‘groping’ incident was a funny little thing between them, it doesn’t mean that it didn’t make many of us watching uncomfortable. 

The BBC said they made sure that Katya had been checked on by the welfare and production teams, but I still think more could have been to reassure viewers over Evans’ behaviour.  

Not long after that first incident, it was reported that Evans made a ‘vulgar’ joke to one of the makeup artists on the show. According to this report, Evans made a self-deprecating comment about his double chin resembling a vagina.

No complaints were made, but to me, it felt like a pattern of behaviour was emerging. Again, he remained on the show. But his latest actions aren’t making anyone at the BBC laugh.

Evans first caused an uproar on the show after appearing to grope Jones’ waist (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)

During a photocall for the Strictly tour, Evans was caught making a disgusting comment towards dancer and presenter Janette Manrara. 

As Manrara was taking her place between Evans and EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Evans said, ‘Not too close to Jamie’ and then chuckled before remarking about ‘a spit roast.’

Watching the footage, I was appalled – and reminded of times in the workplace when I’ve had to put up with this kind of behaviour. 

No one deserves to show up at work to be faced with sexual remarks from a man who seems so arrogant that he’s willing to make gross comments in front of reporters and cameras.

I can assure you, there’s nothing fun about being made to feel uncomfortable by your co-worker.

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Following the latest incident, Wynne called his behaviour ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ and stated that he would step away from the Strictly tour and take a break from his BBC Radio Wales show.

The BBC has spent months trying to repair the reputation of its cash cow after former contestants complained about the treatment they received from their professional dance partners in previous seasons. 

And that’s on top of scandals like those involving Huw Edwards, Jermaine Jenas and Gregg Wallace.

This latest episode shows that nothing seems to have changed in the corporation’s culture. 

Until this latest incident, Evans’ behaviour went unchecked, and if that comment to Manrara had been made without cameras present, we might never have heard about it. 

Often, when women do complain about inappropriate behaviour from male colleagues, they are dismissed or have their feelings minimised; at least, that’s my experience.

I can assure you, there’s nothing fun about being made to feel so uncomfortable by your co-worker that you want to quit your job.

Frankly, I believe that after the first incident the BBC should have taken a stand, sacked Evans from Strictly, and shown that this behaviour would not be tolerated. 

But all they have done is show that even if you are subject to lewd behaviour at work, in front of witnesses, you have to wait for the perpetrator to fall on their sword because heaven forbid someone takes decisive action.

Companies like the BBC need to create a safe environment not only for those taking part in programmes and performances, but for those watching. 

They need to set an example. And they missed too many chances to take action.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

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