Wynne Evans has handed over a “dossier” of evidence to the BBC as he fights to clear his name following his removal from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, according to reports.
The 53-year-old opera singer, best known for his long-running role in the GoCompare adverts, was axed from the tour earlier this year after allegedly making an inappropriate sexual comment about professional dancer Janette Manrara.
According to The Sun, Evans has now submitted a collection of videos and screenshots to the broadcaster as part of a bid to prove his innocence.
Sources close to the singer say he is determined to restore his reputation, which he believes has been unfairly “left in tatters” despite issuing an apology.
Evans has maintained that the remark — which was captured on video — was never directed at Manrara.
He claims other cast members were aware of the context at the time.
One of Evans’ friends told the publication he has been “thrown under the bus” and insisted a deeper analysis of the footage paints a different picture.
“Wynne’s team have had the clip sent off to a cyber forensics team which has come back with a word nobody had previously picked up on before; they believe it changes everything,” the friend told the outlet.
In the footage, Evans can reportedly be heard referring to “old spitroast boy” — a comment said to be directed at EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
According to allies of Evans, the term referred to Borthwick having lifted his legs above his head in a way that resembled a spit-roast chicken, and had nothing to do with Manrara.
It’s also been claimed that Manrara herself reached out to Evans following the controversy, sending him messages of support and telling him to “look after himself” and “take deep breaths.”
The scandal prompted Evans to step back from both the Strictly tour and his presenting role at BBC Radio Wales. In a statement at the time, he said he was “taking some time out” to focus on his wellbeing.
Earlier this week, Evans and Borthwick were also reportedly reprimanded by BBC bosses after a separate incident — involving a backstage video with a sex toy — came to light during the tour.
The clip, obtained by The Sun on Sunday, surfaced just two days after Evans was allegedly caught on camera making a crude sexual remark to Borthwick about Manrara.
Neither Evans nor the BBC has publicly commented on the latest reports.
The Standard has contacted Wynne Evans’s rep and the BBC for comment.
