The BBC has launched a wide-ranging investigation into disgraced opera singer Wynne Evans that goes beyond his time on Strictly Come Dancing, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The Welsh star, 53, is at the centre of an inquiry that bosses have confirmed is a ‘wider BBC’ matter rather than relating just to the dance show – and the tour that followed where we exposed him for using the crude term ‘spit roast’.
It is understood that the review is being conducted in secret.
The Go Compare frontman was caught on video in January warning dancer Janette Manrara not to stand ‘too close’ to co-star Jamie Borthwick or they would perform the three-way sex act on her.
At the time, he apologised for what he called an ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ comment at Birmingham Arena as the professional dancers and their celebrity partners prepared for a photo on stage to launch the tour.
The outcome of the investigation is likely to be revealed in early May. If Mr Evans is found to have breached rules concerning inappropriate behaviour, he could lose his job as presenter of the BBC Radio Wales breakfast show.
As well as leaving the Strictly tour in January, Mr Evans has been absent from the programme since January 27, just days after the MoS exposed his comment to Ms Manrara.
Wynne Evans, 53, is at the centre of an inquiry that bosses have confirmed is a ‘wider BBC’ matter rather than relating just to the dance show – and the tour that followed where we exposed him for using the crude term ‘spit roast’
As well as leaving the Strictly tour in January, Mr Evans has been absent from the programme since January 27, just days after the MoS exposed his comment to Ms Manrara (pictured: with Strictly professional Katya Jones)
He also appeared in a BBC travel documentary, All At Sea, with Gavin And Stacey actress Joanna Page, which saw them sail around their native Wales. It is not known if it will be recommissioned.
Evans has launched a fight-back with his legal team, telling The Sun newspaper that his ‘spit roast’ comment was a light-hearted reference to EastEnders actor Mr Borthwick ‘looking like a spit roast chicken’ because of how he warmed up on Strictly.
But in the video Evans can be heard warning Ms Manrara as she approached the group of dancers: ‘Careful, not too close to Jamie’, followed by the words ‘Spit roast’.
The father-of-two’s legal team insist the remark was not in relation to the It Takes Two host.
It was alleged that some of the Strictly cast believe it should have been Mr Borthwick, 30, who left the live tour, not Mr Evans. The Sun last week reported that the actor sent a rude message to the Strictly WhatsApp group chat, with sources telling them that they believe Mr Borthwick’s comment was worse than Mr Evans’s yet ‘nobody batted an eyelid’.
The Go Compare frontman was caught on video in January warning dancer Janette Manrara not to stand ‘too close’ to co-star Jamie Borthwick or they would perform the three-way sex act on her (pictured with Strictly professional Katya Jones)
Evans has launched a fight-back with his legal team, telling The Sun newspaper that his ‘spit roast’ comment was a light-hearted reference to EastEnders actor Mr Borthwick ‘looking like a spit roast chicken’ because of how he warmed up on Strictly
In another development, Strictly sources have told the MoS that Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek raised the alarm to producers about a comment made by Mr Evans while on the show.
Mr Evans’s lawyer said he does not recall making the comment and that ‘nobody has presented any evidence to him that he did’.
Ms Quek, 36, didn’t wish to comment on the matter.
Mr Evans jetted off to Dubai for some Easter sun on Friday with his girlfriend Liz Brookes, 50. He has rarely been seen since he stopped hosting his radio show.
The BBC refused to comment.
A spokesman for Mr Evans said he had no comment.
