Wynne Evans takes swipe at BBC just weeks after it cut ties with him

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans parted ways with the BBC earlier this year and he's now taken a swipe at BBC Radio after having hosted a show on the station for years
Former BBC Radio host Wynne Evans has taken a swipe at the radio station this week. It comes after he left his long-running show following a series of scandals whilst on Strictly Come Dancing last year and its subsequent live tour.
It was announced back in May that Wynne, 53, would not be returning to his BBC Radio Wales show, which he had hosted since 2016. A spokesperson for the BBC said at the time that there were also "no plans" to work with him again.
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Wynne announced that he would instead host the Wynne Evans Show on other platforms. He then launched his new weekday radio show last month and later told fans that he had more than 40,000 listeners for the first episode.
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He has continued to promote the show in recent weeks and shared another message for fans on Instagram this evening. Wynne took aim at BBC Radio in a series of posts, in which he described the radio station as the "dark side".
Alongside a cartoon of himself, the message for fans, who are referred to as 'Wynners,' read: "HELP!! We are looking for missing 'Wynners'!!! Did you previously listen to Wynne Evans on the dark side? (BBC Radio) are you missing his cheeky wit and charming charisma or do you just need cheering up in the morning? If so then tune into his new show available on iPhone, Android, Alexa and his website."
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Wynne shared the photo of his page. He wrote in the caption that accompanied it: "Let's find the missing Wynners - where are our friends that may be stuck on the dark side spread the word far and wide"
He later shared a similar post on his Instagram Story. Wynne wrote in that caption: "Missing Wynners. Don't get stuck in the dark come and laugh and be in a place where the listeners are valued."
The criticism comes after just weeks after it was reported that the BBC had cut its last remaining ties with him. It was confirmed last month that it has "no plans" for a second series of his travel show Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea.
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All at Sea, which launched on BBC One in January, saw Wynne sail along the southern coast of Wales with Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page, 48. The first series ended in February and a spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror last month that there are "no plans" for a second series.
A source told the Sun at the time that the decision to not renew the show "marks the end" of a relationship between Wynne and the BBC. They said: "It means that Wynne has no TV show or radio show with the Beeb, and effectively marks the end of their ­relationship."
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Wynne competed on Strictly last year and was partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones, 36, for the BBC show. The pair ended up apologising during the series for what he described as them "messing around," including over a scene of him with his hand on Katya's waist.
It was later reported, whilst on the tour earlier this year, that he had apologised for using "inappropriate and unacceptable" language amid reports that he used the term 'spit roast' to Janette Manrara, 41, at a photocall. Wynne has since insisted that it was instead part of a nickname for their co-star Jamie Borthwick, 31, and "wasn't meant sexually".
Wynne subsequently left the tour and his radio show after the scandal broke in January. As reported at the time, he said in a statement then: "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.
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"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."
Then in May he announced that he wouldn't be returning to his BBC Radio show following his departure months prior. He said in a statement: "From the very depths of my heart - thank you. These past few months, your love has been the light in my darkest days. Every message, every word of encouragement, every moment you stood by me has carried me through more than you could ever know."
Wynne told fans: "It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract so I won't be returning to my radio show. I'm gutted. That show wasn't just work - it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes. Into your hearts."
In a statement at the time, the BBC said: "[Wynne] is not under contract with the BBC." The spokesperson continued: "He is not returning to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales and there are currently no plans to work with him."