Wynne Evans Accuses BBC of Self-Preservation on 'Strictly Come Dancing'

A Troubling Allegation Against Strictly Come Dancing

Wynne Evans, a renowned Welsh tenor known for his appearances in Go.Compare insurance commercials, has made serious allegations against the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. He claims the show is "fundamentally flawed in its duty of care." Evans, who participated in the 20th anniversary series of the program alongside professional dancer Katya Jones, recently shared his concerns on social media, highlighting what he sees as a systemic failure within the organization.

In May, Evans announced that he had been dropped by the BBC and would no longer be presenting on BBC Radio Wales. This followed an apology he gave for using "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly tour. The controversy began earlier in the year when a report suggested he had made a sexual joke directed at another professional dancer, Janette Manrara.

On Instagram, Evans posted a photo featuring the Strictly professionals, accompanied by a reflective message. He acknowledged his past mistakes but emphasized that they were not as portrayed by some media outlets. He criticized the BBC for what he described as a series of "lies and cover-ups" aimed at deflecting responsibility.

Evans expressed deep disappointment with the BBC's leadership, including director-general Tim Davie, and pointed out a consistent theme: the organization's focus on self-preservation rather than the well-being of its participants. He recounted his initial experience on the show, which he initially found magical, but quickly turned negative after being warned, "Don’t trust anyone in this room — not even me."

This warning struck a chord with Evans, who admitted to being open-hearted and sometimes pushing boundaries. However, he was unprepared for the extent to which people would protect their personal and professional reputations, regardless of the consequences.

He further accused the HR department of fabricating information, altering facts, and creating a distorted narrative of events. According to Evans, statements were issued under his name without his approval, effectively silencing him.

Evans has previously stated that he did not endorse the apology issued by the BBC in January, where he was said to have apologized for making an "inappropriate and unacceptable" comment. At the time, a BBC spokesperson claimed the apology was fully approved by Evans.

In his recent post, Evans highlighted a promise made by Tim Davie that the BBC would protect those involved in Strictly. He reflected on this promise while in a psychiatrist’s office near the BBC, contemplating his mental health and the toll the situation had taken on him.

Evans emphasized that he is not writing as a victim but as someone who acknowledges his mistakes. His primary concern is the broken system that allows Strictly to continue despite its flaws, prioritizing ratings over the well-being of its participants.

The BBC conducted a review in 2024 regarding allegations of bullying and harassment against former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice, brought forward by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. While some complaints were upheld, others were not. In response, the corporation introduced new welfare measures, including the presence of a chaperone during all training room rehearsals.

Beyond his involvement with Strictly, Evans has performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera and won the 2023 edition of Celebrity MasterChef. In May, he clarified that the comment he made on the Strictly tour was not sexual or directed at a female cast member but was instead a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick.

In June, Evans announced his return to radio with The Wynne Evans Show, a live weekday internet broadcast. Despite his allegations, the BBC has not commented on his social media post.

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