The opera singer said he wishes he had received the ‘same fair treatment’
Wynne Evans sent a message of support to fellow Strictly star Jamie Borthwick(Image: BBC)
Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans has sent a message of support to his former Strictly co-star Jamie Borthwick after it was reported he would be returning to Eastenders after a three-month suspension from the soap. Borthwick was dropped from Albert Square for using a slur against people with disabilities during his stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year.
Go Compare star Evans, 53, was dropped from the BBC in May after he apologised for using “inappropriate language” during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
He said it “broke his heart” that the BBC didn’t renew his popular slot on BBC Radio Wales following the incident and has since hit out at the organisation for “taking his voice away”.
Posting on his Facebook page after the news about Borthwick’s return to Eastenders was reported, Evans said: “Great news for Jamie.”
He then went on to reference his own relationship with the BBC, adding: “Obviously wish I had had the same fair treatment, but this is great for him.” He also tagged BBC Radio Wales in the post.
Earlier this week, it was announced that singer Bronwen Lewis would be Evans’ replacement for the Radio Wales morning show.
She said: “I am beyond excited and honoured to be given this incredible opportunity.” For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
In July, Evans took to Instagram to speak out about his experience after the first photos of this year’s Strictly professionals training for the show were released.
He wrote: “What it feels like to see pictures of Strictly? I’ll be the first to admit I’ve made mistakes. Not quite the way the Daily Mail would have you believe, but mistakes all the same.
He accused the BBC of “lies and cover‑ups”, adding: “The only thing they truly care about is protecting themselves and their jobs and Ratings – people come second.
“When I first stepped into the rehearsal room at Strictly, I thought it would be a magical experience. And at the start, it was. But the very first thing I was told was: ‘Don’t trust anyone in this room — not even me. That hit me hard. I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve, and while I may sometimes sail close to the line, there’s never malice in what I do.
“What I wasn’t prepared for was the way people will protect their personal and BBC brands, at any cost.” He added that he was left dealing with “twisted facts, invented files and dates” and “a version of events that simply wasn’t true”.
He said: “Statements were issued in my name that I hadn’t even seen, let alone agreed to. My voice was taken away.
“Tim Davie publicly promised that the BBC would safeguard people who took part in Strictly. I thought about that promise while sitting in a psychiatrist’s office near the BBC, staring out of the window at the BBC building, fighting to save my own life. That’s how close I came to the edge.
“I’m not writing this as a victim, as I said I will own my mistakes . I’m writing it because the system is broken. Strictly is now fundamentally flawed in its duty of care. It’s allowed to continue because of ratings, while people’s wellbeing is left in tatters.
“I’ve always believed in honesty, fairness and kindness. What I’ve learned is that institutions like the BBC or the Post Office believe only in self‑preservation. And until that changes, others will suffer and perhaps they won’t come through the other side.”
At the time of the events, a BBC spokesperson said: “The apology issued on Wynne’s behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday January 25 was fully approved by Wynne.”