Wynne Evans to leave BBC radio show after Strictly controversy

Radio host Wynne Evans has announced he is leaving his BBC Radio Wales show after the broadcaster “decided not to renew” his contract.

He had been taking time off his daytime show after apologising for making what he described as an “inappropriate and unacceptable” comment during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch in December.

“I won’t be returning to my radio show. I’m gutted,” he said in an Instagram post, adding that he would be launching a new online radio show.

The BBC has been asked to comment.

Evans, 52, was recorded making a sexualised remark at the Birmingham Arena as the group prepared for a photo on stage.

“My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise,” he said in a statement.

He described his BBC Radio Wales show, which launched in 2016, as not “just work”, but “home”.

He announced he would be launching The Wynne Evans show on a new app, a move he described as “terrifying” and “exhilarating”.

Evans’ behaviour during Strictly Come Dancing attracted attention from viewers over what some described as awkward incidents.

This included Katya Jones appearing to turn down a high-five from Evans and move his hand from her waist during an episode in October.

The duo later said the high-five moment was a “running joke” between them, while Jones said it was “complete nonsense” that Evans’ hand on her waist “made me feel uncomfortable or offended me in any way”.

An opera singer, Evans is known as the face, and voice, behind the Go Compare adverts, and also has had two number one classical music albums.

As well as BBC Radio Wales, he has previously presented on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, while also winning Celebrity Masterchef.