Wynne Evans After Strictly: Controversy, Split & New Radio Show

When you spend years as the friendly face of a TV ad campaign, the last thing you expect is to see your name in headlines about a Strictly tour controversy. For Wynne Evans, the Welsh opera singer known to millions as the GoCompare man, a single remark during a photo call set off a cascade of career changes, a split from his fiancée, and a new chapter on an independent radio station. This is the timeline of how it all unfolded, backed by official sources and verified reporting.

Age: 53 (born 1972) ·
Strictly Come Dancing: Contestant in 2024 series ·
Celebrity MasterChef: Winner in 2023 ·
BBC Radio Wales show: Ended in 2025 ·
New radio show: Weekly on Dragon Radio, 2025

Seven facts, one pattern: a public figure’s career pivoted from BBC mainstream to independent radio after a conduct controversy.

What has happened to Wynne Evans?

Strictly controversy

• In January 2025, during a photo call at Birmingham Arena for the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch, Evans made an “inappropriate and unacceptable” remark, as described by BBC News (UK public broadcaster).
• The incident, which The Telegraph (UK national newspaper) reported as a crude sexual comment directed toward co-host Janette Manrara, triggered immediate fallout.
• Evans apologized publicly, telling ITV News he had been “totally stupid” (ITV News Wales).

Personal life changes

• Weeks after the controversy, Evans confirmed he had split from his fiancée Liz Brookes, an events manager, according to Yahoo News UK.
• The relationship had been public for some time, but neither party disclosed detailed reasons for the breakup.
• As of early 2026, Evans has not publicly commented on a new partner, and reports place him as single.

Career shift

• After the incident, Evans stepped away from his BBC Radio Wales programme, as reported by The Guardian.
• By mid-2025, the BBC confirmed it would not extend his contract, effectively ending his regular presence on the station (BBC News).
• He announced plans for a new online radio venture, later confirmed as a weekly show on Dragon Radio, an independent internet station (BBC News).

The implication: The controversy didn’t just cost Evans his BBC slot — it rewrote his personal life too, with the split from Brookes adding a private dimension to a very public fallout.

Why is Wynne Evans leaving his BBC radio show?

Strictly controversy impact

• The January 2025 remark was the immediate trigger. The Telegraph reported that a video appeared to show Evans making a sexualized comment to Janette Manrara, though Evans later said he did not think Strictly was a safe environment for him, during a June 2025 appearance on ITV’s This Morning (The Telegraph).
• In January 2025, Evans said he would take time out from his radio show and the Strictly live tour to focus on his mental health, as reported by The Guardian.

BBC decision

• Rather than a voluntary resignation, the BBC chose not to extend Evans’s contract (BBC News).
• Robin Morgan replaced him on the mid-morning slot, according to The Telegraph.
• The BBC stated it was returning to mid-morning programming on BBC Wales and expressed openness to collaborating with Evans on future projects (BBC News).

Public apology

• Evans issued a public apology, calling his remark “inappropriate and unacceptable” (BBC News).
• In June 2025, he told This Morning: “I’m not a victim,” while maintaining that the Strictly environment contributed to his discomfort (The Telegraph).

What this means: The BBC’s non-renewal was a business decision rooted in a conduct breach — not a personal vendetta, but a corporate response to a reputational risk.

Has Wynne Evans split with his fiancée?

Timeline of split

• Reports of the split emerged in late January 2025, shortly after the Strictly controversy broke (Yahoo News UK).
• Evans confirmed the breakup in November 2025, though the exact date remained undisclosed.

Public statements

• Neither Evans nor Brookes issued detailed public statements about the reasons for the split.
• A tabloid report suggested the breakup followed a major argument linked to strain from Evans’s new business plans, as cited by The Express Tribune, though this has not been independently verified.

Current status

• As of early 2026, Evans appears to be single and has not commented on future relationships.
• The split marked the end of a relationship that had been a fixture in his public profile prior to the controversy.

The pattern: Personal and professional crises rarely travel alone. The same weeks that saw Evans lose his BBC show also saw the end of his engagement — a one-two punch that left him rebuilding on both fronts.

Is Wynne Evans back on the radio?

Dragon Radio show

• In late 2025, Evans announced a new weekly show on Dragon Radio, an independent internet-based station (BBC News).
• The format and exact start date have not been fully detailed, but it represents a return to regular broadcasting after months away from the mic.

New role

• The Dragon Radio show is a clear pivot from his BBC Radio Wales days — lower profile, independent platform, but full creative control.
• Evans has described the move as an opportunity to “do things differently,” though he has given few details on guests or programming style.

Format

• Internet radio offers less regulatory oversight than BBC broadcasting, which may appeal to Evans after the controversy.
• No specific time slot has been confirmed, but the show is likely to target a Welsh audience with a mix of music and chat.

The catch: A return to radio on a small independent station is a far cry from the BBC’s reach and budget — a pragmatic step back rather than a triumphant comeback.

What is Wynne Evans new job?

Dragon Radio host

• His primary new role is as host of a weekly show on Dragon Radio (BBC News).
• Dragon Radio is an online station with a focus on Welsh music and culture, providing a smaller but dedicated platform.

Other projects

• Evans continues to be the face of GoCompare’s advertising campaigns, a role he has held since 2009.
• No TV or film roles have been announced since the controversy, and his future in television remains uncertain.

Future plans

• The BBC’s statement mentioned “plans to collaborate with Evans on future projects” (BBC News), suggesting the door is not entirely closed.
• Evans himself has hinted at other ventures but provided no specifics.

Timeline: Wynne Evans in 2023-2025

• 2023 — Won Celebrity MasterChef (BBC News)
• September 2024 — Joined Strictly Come Dancing as contestant, partnered with Katya Jones
• January 2025 — Made inappropriate remark during Strictly live tour photo call; issued apology (BBC News)
• January 2025 — Stepped away from BBC Radio Wales and Strictly tour for mental health (The Guardian)
• Late January 2025 — Reports of split from fiancée Liz Brookes (Yahoo News UK)
• May/June 2025 — BBC confirmed contract not extended (BBC News)
• June 2025 — Evans told This Morning Strictly wasn’t safe for him (The Telegraph)
• Late 2025 — Announced new weekly show on Dragon Radio (BBC News)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Wynne Evans was a Strictly contestant in 2024 (BBC News)
• He made an inappropriate remark during the live tour in January 2025 (BBC News)
• He apologized publicly (ITV News Wales)
• He split from fiancée Liz Brookes (confirmed November 2025)
• He left BBC Radio Wales after his contract was not extended (BBC News)
• He will host a weekly show on Dragon Radio (BBC News)

What’s unclear

• Exact date of the split with Liz Brookes
• Specific reasons for the breakup
• Whether he will return to TV work
• Future of his GoCompare role long-term
• Legal or financial details of the controversy

Key quotes and statements

I was totally stupid.

— Wynne Evans, speaking to ITV News about his Strictly behavior, January 2025 (ITV News Wales)

The BBC is returning to mid-morning programming on BBC Wales and we are making plans to collaborate with Wynne on future projects.

— BBC statement on Evans’s departure, May/June 2025 (BBC News)

Strictly Come Dancing wasn’t a safe environment for me.

— Wynne Evans, speaking on ITV’s This Morning, June 2025 (The Telegraph)

I’m not a victim.

— Wynne Evans, clarifying his stance amid the controversy, June 2025 (ITV News Wales)

What this means for Wynne Evans’s future

The arc of Evans’s career since 2023 — from Celebrity MasterChef winner and beloved BBC presenter to controversial figure on a small internet radio station — shows how quickly public standing can shift. His new Dragon Radio show offers a fresh start, but it comes with a smaller audience and less influence. For the Welsh opera singer who once sang to millions in a GoCompare ad, the road back to mainstream relevance will require rebuilding trust, one broadcast at a time.

Frequently asked questions