Wynne Evans escapes UK with girlfriend after backlash over Strictly joke – as BBC blasted over co-star’s sex act brag
WYNNE Evans has escaped the UK for Dubai with his girlfriend Liz Brookes following backlash over his inappropriate Strictly joke.
It comes after Go Compare star Wynne, 53, was removed from the tour for using the term “spitroast” at the launch in Birmingham.
The Sun revealed this week that Wynne has since submitted evidence claiming it was a light-hearted reference to co-star Jamie Borthwick.
The BBC faced a fresh crisis after Jamie, 30, made a vile boast about a taboo sex act while he was part of the show.
Welsh opera singer Wynne was spotted arriving at Heathrow Airport on Friday morning.
He went for a casual look dressed in a grey hoodie, a navy t-shirt and matching trousers.
The TV star looked far from his jolly self as he appeared to keep a low profile while he wheeled his suitcase through Terminal 5.
The pair are escaping the recent scandal and jetting to Dubai, as they checked in at the First Class desk.
Wynne looked in low spirits as he was strolled alongside his girlfriend Liz, who has vowed to stand by him.
The couple’s jet-set escape comes at a tense time for the radio host, as rumours continue to swirl over whether he’ll be returning to the Beeb.
An insider said: “Wynne’s had a lot on his plate lately — this holiday couldn’t come soon enough.
“He’s keeping tight-lipped about the BBC situation, but it’s clear there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.”
While an eyewitness shared that Wynne “looked a bit downbeat” as he quietly strolled through the terminal.
It comes just days after Strictly faced more controversy.
Sources said some of the cast believe Wynne was dropped from the live tour too hastily for a jokey comment they consider much weaker than EastEnders star Jamie’s.
The actor’s message, which has been seen by The Sun but is too explicit to be printed, was sent to the Strictly WhatsApp group chat just hours before the nationwide tour started on January 17.
It was later referenced by some of the shocked stars and pros.
A source said it raised questions about why Wynne had lost his place on the tour when Jamie made a similarly explicit comment which did not appear to be intended as a joke.
They told The Sun: “Wynne made a jokey comment, which was borne out of Jamie looking like a spitroast chicken because of how he warmed up on Strictly, and he got fired.
“Jamie on the other hand boasted about engaging in a very explicit sex act and no one batted an eyelid.
“His message was joked about afterwards as well, as it was a shocking thing for the stars and pros to read.
“Some of the Strictly lot think the BBC acted too hastily in removing Wynne, because in reality some of the cast were taking it a lot further.”
The source added: “When Wynne made his comment, it was said directly to Jamie where he believed no one could hear him.
“Jamie ultimately did the same thing, but it wasn’t caught on camera. It appears like it’s one rule for one, and another rule for another.”
After his removal from the tour, friends close to Wynne told The Sun he felt he had been “thrown under a bus” by the BBC.
We can also reveal he felt cold-shouldered by Jamie after he reached out to him for support.
The opera singer has submitted a dossier of evidence to the BBC in a bid to clear his name.
He was initially accused of aiming the term “spitroast” at Strictly star Janette Manrara in a leaked video from the photocall.
However he claims to have actually called Jamie “old spitroast boy”, and sent the corporation audio evidence to back this up.
A source said last night: “Wynne contacted Jamie and hoped he would speak out to defend him, or offer him support.
“But Jamie sent a very formal reply telling Wynne they should just communicate through official channels and that he hadn’t heard what he said.
“It was hurtful for Wynne because he believed he and Jamie were friends and that he would have his back.
“Wynne’s pro partner Katya Jones, and Janette and her husband Aljaz Škorjanec all supported him privately but Jamie left him out in the cold. It was all very hurtful.”
Wynne later unfollowed Jamie on social media, which pals said was an expression of his hurt.
Yesterday The Sun revealed how Wynne was fighting to clear his name.
His dossier includes video and screenshots which pals insist prove he is not guilty of making an inappropriate sexual comment.
Wynne Evans' Strictly scandals
‘Grope’
Wynne encountered a backlash after his Strictly pro partner Katya was filmed removing his hand from her waist.
Fans insisted she looked uncomfortable as she moved it away – but Katya later insisted there was no problem.
In joke
They then sparked further fury, when she was seen refusing to high-five the Opera singer.
The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent “inside joke”.
Crude joke
Wynne came under fire for allegedly telling a “crude” joke to one of the show’s make-up artists.
Insiders claim the opera star made a joke that the folds of his double chin “looked like a vagina”.
A source said: “It was a bit of a vulgar dad joke.”
Vile comment
Wynne was recorded suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term “spit roast”.
His remark came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour, which pro Janette, 41, is hosting.
He reportedly pulled a suggestive face at actor Jamie Borthwick as Janette moved between them — which is when Evans allegedly made the joke.
Wynne has apologised saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”