Wynne keeps his ‘wandering hands’ to himself after last weekend’s awkward incident with Katya

Wynne keeps his 'wandering hands' to himself after last weekend's awkward incident with Katya

As a dedicated follower of Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve seen my fair share of scandals and controversies over the years. But the recent ‘grope-gate’ incident has taken the cake. The PR stunt by Katya Jones and Wynne Evans to defuse the situation seemed more like a desperate attempt to save their spots in the competition than a genuine apology for any discomfort caused.


I actively participated in devising a tactical yet contentious public relations strategy, aiming to bring closure to the ‘groping’ controversy that had engulfed Strictly Come Dancing.

Last night, to avoid any repetition of my dance partner Wynne Evans inadvertently touching my waist again, I strategically positioned myself beside my fellow professional dancer, Nancy Xu. In a show of solidarity and camaraderie, Nancy warmly embraced me, the Russian beauty that I am.

At the start of the BBC One program, it seemed like Nancy was making an effort to shield Katya, with the Welsh opera singer standing stiffly behind her, keeping his hands tucked at his back.

It’s uncertain if this was another premeditated tactic to make Strictly fans and the media dismiss ongoing issues, but it’s the newest development in the unsavory series of events surrounding the program since the bullying allegations made by Amanda Abbington.

Prior to the past weekend, the inextinguishable opera singer Wynne had been charming millions of Strictly Come Dancing viewers with his cheerfulness and tenacity in learning to dance.

Wynne keeps his 'wandering hands' to himself after last weekend's awkward incident with Katya

Known for his iconic Go Compare commercials, he was once hailed as the rescuer of a struggling BBC program. However, last week found him under fire after viewers noticed his hand touching Katya inappropriately in the green room. This led Katya to push his hand away forcefully, while maintaining a stiff expression. Later, Evans attempted to give Ms Jones a high-five, but she gave him a disapproving look, rolling her eyes and turning away. It’s been reported that this incident, dubbed “groping gate,” could impact their chances of winning.

In other words, they found themselves pondering their next move. Remarkably, they conceived an audacious plan for promotion, yet The Mail on Sunday uncovers that their attempt to brush it off as a mere jest has infuriated certain parts of the BBC.

Evans, aged 52, was so determined to preserve his clean reputation that he engaged a crisis management PR firm for assistance. Alongside Ms. Jones, age 35, they enlisted Lou Plank, who has previously collaborated with Ruth Langsford during her divorce from Eamonn Holmes. It’s been mentioned that she operates independently and is not affiliated with the BBC.

Immediately trying to calm things down, Evans and Ms. Jones explained on social media that their actions were playful banter, labeling it as a “silly inside joke” and assuring everyone it wasn’t meant seriously.

Ms. Jones added that the suggestion it had caused her discomfort or offense in any manner was utterly baseless.

Wynne keeps his 'wandering hands' to himself after last weekend's awkward incident with Katya

As a lifestyle expert, I can tell you that seeing such headlines left me utterly dismayed, and I strongly advocate for putting an end to this controversy – a resolution that, I understand, is not in line with the BBC’s preferred approach.

According to a source within the company, certain supervisors are quite upset with Wynne for that action. It seemed to both Wynne and Katya that they weren’t receiving the backing from the BBC that they desired, which led them to take matters into their own hands.

It can be accurately stated that the strategy lacked cohesion; instead, it appeared as if Wynne and Katya acted independently, disregarding the BBC’s feelings.

The move to hire a crisis PR consultant underscores their strong commitment to manage their time effectively within the Strictly context. However, a BBC insider stated that Ms. Jones’ dismissal of her touch as merely a joke contradicts the organization’s growing emphasis on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

The situation became even more adhesive as Women’s Aid charity entered the fray, asserting that such inappropriate conduct towards women is nothing to be taken lightly.

In the face of rampant misogyny and violence against women and girls in the UK, it is crucial to foster a media environment where women feel secure enough to voice their concerns. This means no longer tolerating or making light of sexually inappropriate behavior. It’s essential that we actively combat such jokes to prevent further normalization of harmful attitudes that fuel these abusive behaviors related to gender.

It is reported that certain high-ranking officials at the BBC were deeply embarrassed by the charity’s involvement due to the fact that they had already been managing the repercussions of professional dancer Graziano Di Prima being dismissed in July for kicking his dance partner, Zara McDermott, the previous year.

On Friday, the persisting claim by Evans and Ms. Jones that they are good friends and that the situation had been misconstrued remained. They shared images of them trekking up a hill near Evans’ residence in Cardiff.

Wynne keeps his 'wandering hands' to himself after last weekend's awkward incident with Katya

They had hoped to put an end to the dispute once and for all, but it seems the issue still hangs in the air. The BBC did not refute giving Evans and Ms. Jones a reprimand.

One source explained: ‘Why else would they reprimand her, if not because she had understated the gravity of the matter?’

Evans, meanwhile, is said to be ‘very cross’.

Gosh, last night, I simply couldn’t tear my eyes away as the pair gracefully glided across the dance floor, dancing the enchanting Quickstep to none other than “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra! The atmosphere was electrifying, and they truly shone, earning a remarkable 33 out of 40 points. Yet, amidst all that charm and skill, it seemed they chose to steer clear of addressing the ongoing controversy.

Previously known soccer player Paul Merson, who managed to earn 19 points alongside Karen Hauer despite not being a professional dancer, garnered appreciation for his infectious ‘zest.’

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2024-10-20 04:22

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