Fresh Strictly scandal as Jamie Borthwick & Wynne Evans blasted by BBC over SEX TOY vid filmed in dressing room
STRICTLY stars Jamie Borthwick and Wynne Evans were rapped by BBC bosses over a shocking sex toy video.
Footage obtained by The Sun on Sunday shows the sex toy — sent to Jamie, 30, by Wynne, 53, as a joke — being brandished backstage during the Strictly live tour.
And EastEnders actor Jamie shared an offensive clip on the Strictly celebs’ WhatsApp group.
A source said: “As soon as BBC executives were made aware of this shocking and immature footage being shared they formally addressed the issue and reminded the pair they had to act professionally.
“The men were acting extremely immaturely and inappropriately, considering it was a family show, and many cast members didn’t share their crass sense of humour.
“Bosses were horrified and shocked, hoping to nip the issue in the bud, unaware the video had been shared more widely.”
The video clip seen by The Sun on Sunday was filmed in January two days after opera singer Wynne was recorded making a vile sexual comment to Jamie about pro dancer Janette Manrara.
Welshman Wynne was later axed from the live tour.
Sources say the video featuring Jamie and Wynne underlines the “inappropriate culture” behind the scenes of the flagship BBC show.
In the footage, Jamie explains the toy was sent to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena reception by Wynne.
He smiles as he holds up the rubber toy, then points the camera at Wynne — who is practising topless with pro dancer Neil Jones.
Jamie says: “Look at what he bought me. I opened it up and he surprised me with this, didn’t he. It’s so funny.”
A source said: “This was going on in January when the Strictly tour was in Birmingham and was around the same time Wynne made his explicit remark about Janette.
“Jamie and Wynne, who were often playing pranks on each other, thought it was all very funny.
“Jamie giggles about it like a naughty schoolboy. They thought it was hilarious but others didn’t.”
Wynne’s comment about Janette was recorded on January 16 at the tour’s PR launch but news did not break until more than a week later.
The video made by Jamie, showing the sex toy he says Wynne sent to him, was said to have been recorded on January 18.
Our source added: “It seems Jamie and Wynne thought it was just banter but it all feels very inappropriate.
“The sex toy is quite shocking to see on video, particularly when it was filmed behind the scenes in a dressing room on the Strictly tour.”
At the Birmingham tour launch, Wynne was asked by The Sun on Sunday if doing Strictly had made him feel young.
He replied: “This is the problem. I hang out with Jamie and Pete Wicks and stuff and I feel about 12. I have to remind myself sometimes I’m 53 and I’m not the young thing, so I was straight to bed last night. I was exhausted.”
We later asked Jamie if he was one of the “naughty ones” and he reckoned: “I think I might be.”
Meanwhile, actor Shayne Ward was asked who was the most mischievous and replied: “There’s a group — watch social media.”
Wynne and Jamie — the Strictly Christmas special champion in 2023 — were partnered with Katya Jones and Michelle Tsiakkas respectively in last year’s series.
Wynne stepped down from the live tour after criticism over his vile remark aimed at Janette, 41, who is married to fellow pro dancer Aljaz Skorjanec.
He issued an apology at the time, saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”
‘REPUTATION IN TATTERS’
But the tenor, who starred in the GoCompare adverts, is said to believe that his reputation has been unfairly left in tatters.
The BBC and Strictly Live tour producers said: “We have made it clear to Wynne we do not tolerate such behaviour on tour.”
Janette, host of BBC Two spin-off show It Takes Two, did not make any complaint.
Wynne, a father of two, was also caught up in controversy during the telly series when viewers spotted Katya, 35, forcibly moving his hand as it strayed across her waist in a live Saturday night show.
The pair laughed it off as an in-joke.
A BBC probe was paused at the end of February amid concerns over Wynne’s mental health.
The star, who has stepped aside from his BBC Radio Wales presenting role, is also considering taking the BBC to a tribunal claiming reputational damage.
Wynne, supported by girlfriend Liz Brookes, had lawyers gather a 30-page defence dossier.
A source told us at the time: “As far as Wynne is concerned, he has been wronged. He understands the language he used was not appropriate but it’s all been taken so out of context.
“He absolutely loves his job on BBC Radio Wales and having to step back from it in the wake of his Strictly dismissal was heartbreaking.”
Our sex toy revelation comes days after Wynne urged Instagram followers to “try and stay positive” and declared that “truth wins” in a rare social media update.
We approached the BBC and representatives for Wynne and Jamie for comment.
Strictly stars at risk of the axe in 2025
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016 when he was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. The following year he was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke. They reached the final and finished as one of the runners-up.
In 2020, he was partnered with actress Maisie Smith. Again, he made it to the final and finished as a runner-up.
He failed to make it third time lucky in 2022, finishing runner-up again with Helen Skelton.
Nadiya Bychkova joined the show in 2017 with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami. The pair reached Week 11, finishing in 6th place.
Her best performance to date came in 2021 when she finished fifth with Dan Walker.
Neil Jones has been without a celebrity partner more times than he’s had one since joining in 2016.
His best finish was with ex-footballer Alex Scott in 2019, finishing in fifth.
Katya Jones was another 2016 addition and made an instant impression with politician Ed Balls. Their Gangnam Style routine is still a favourite to this day.
In 2017 she lifted the Glitterball with Joe McFadden.
The following year she was at the heart of a show scandal after snogging her dance partner, the comedian Seann Walsh.
Karen Hauer has been an ever-present since 2012.
Despite her lengthy association with the show, she’s never lifted the Glitterball. The closest she came was in 2020 when she finished runner-up with Jamie Laing.