Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans has left the show’s live tour after agreeing with the BBC to “take some time out” to prioritise his “wellbeing”.
It comes after the 53-year-old Welsh opera singer, who is famous for his role in the GoCompare insurance adverts, apologised for an “inappropriate and unacceptable” remark he made during the launch event for the shows.
He said: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that I’ll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.
“I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection.
“Apologies to those I won’t get to see at the remaining performances and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.”
The tour started on 17 January and Evans had been performing with Katya Jones, his dance partner during the BBC TV series last year.
He missed shows in Glasgow on Saturday and Sunday, saying this was due to an ankle injury and sharing images of his bruises in an Instagram story.
Evans then issued an apology on Sunday after being heard making a remark to a woman in a video filmed during the launch event for the tour on 16 January, the Mail On Sunday first reported.
“My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise,” he said in a statement.
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The Strictly live tour now continues without him with 12 dates left, including shows in Liverpool tonight and tomorrow.
Evans is also taking time off from presenting his weekday morning show on BBC Radio Wales.
Broadcaster Robin Morgan sat in for him on Monday and will continue to present during his absence, PA understands.
BBC Wales said it had nothing further to add to Evans’s statement.
Apology over ‘joke’
In October, Evans and Jones apologised for a “joke” after viewers saw the female dance professional moving his hand from her waist during an episode of the show.
Jones also appeared not to want to high-five her celebrity partner, but the pair called this “a running joke”.
Strictly introduced chaperones “at all times” during rehearsals for the 2024 series.
