Wynne Evans is ‘set to be fired’ from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour after making a sexual remark aimed at Janette Manrara.
The Welsh opera singer, 53, recently joked about having a threesome – or ‘spit roast’ – with the Strictly live presenter and professional dancer, 41, during a photo call with the cast of the show.
Evans was captured making the obscene comment at Birmingham Arena, with EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick apparently wincing at the comment.
It’s now been reported BBC Studios will be releasing a statement today about his axing.
‘He’s had repeated warnings about his behaviour and told to reign it in. He’s not been taking it in, in this day and age the BBC have to be seen taking action and safeguard everyone,’ a source told The Sun.
‘He’s had a tough time with the death of his brother and people should give him some slack, he is going to take this time off to do some self reflection.
‘He has a lot of support from a lot of the backstage dancers. It’s been a really sad ending to what has been a really fun tour.’
The publication also reported despite Evans apologising, it ‘hasn’t saved his place on the tour and bosses have now removed him, despite initially giving him a final warning’.
In a statement to Metro, Evans said: ‘My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.’
A spokesman for BBC Studios and the Strictly Live Tour producers also said: ‘We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints.
‘We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour.’
Last week Evans was also forced to pull out from two of the live shows after suffering an ankle injury.
Sharing a photo of his bruised foot on Instagram he wrote: ‘Turned my ankle last night in the show but I’m being a brave soldier.’
The next day he shared another photo and said while his foot was ‘sore’, he was feeling positive as the swelling was ‘subsiding’.
Last year Evans also faced controversy after his dance partner on Strictly – Katya Jones – appeared to forcibly remove his hand from her waist and then rejected his offer of a high five during a live episode.
However both later passed the matter off as a ‘bad joke’.
Metro has contacted the BBC, representatives for Wynne Evans and the Strictly Come Dancing live tour for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Strictly live tour issues apology as fans complain cancellation took ‘too long’
MORE: Strictly legend makes major career announcement 4 years after leaving BBC series
MORE: Strictly star finally reveals when he’ll return to live tour after injury
