Strictly Come Dancing’s latest episode saw opera singer Wynne Evans being eliminated from the competition. The 52-year-old became the eighth celebrity to leave the 2024 series last night, ending his hopes of winning the Glitterball Trophy.
Wynne, paired with professional dancer Katya Jones, failed to impress the judges with his Charleston routine in the dance-off at Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Sunday.
He and Katya found themselves in the bottom two alongside Olympian and Gladiators star Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe, but the judges unanimously decided to save Montell after her Salsa performance to Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston, the Mirror reports.
Wynne, who performed to Carmen Suite No. 1: 5. Les Toreadors by Georges Bizet, praised the show, saying: “It’s been wonderful, I’ve got to say. I feel like it’s what Strictly is all about.”
He added: “If I can come and do Strictly and last until week nine, then anybody can get out there and dance and have a brilliant time. Strictly is such a brilliant family, such a precious family, that I want everybody here in this room and at home to look after it for the generations to come because it is a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
Katya expressed immense joy about her pairing with Wynne on the show: “To be honest with you, the smile hasn’t left my face since the first day of our training, since the day we got partnered up.
Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community hereand get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
“You (Wynne) have made this experience so joyous and so full of laughter for me. I’m sure everybody was jealous because you’re the kind of guy that everybody wants in their life.”
She elaborated on his positive impact, saying: “You bring light, you bring laughter, you bring charisma, you fill up every room you walk into with those qualities.”
Wynne reciprocated the sentiment: “To have been partnered with Katya has been amazing and coming every Saturday night to hang out with these guys (my other contestants), that’s been wonderful.”
He also cherished the daily dance practices: “But to spend every weekday dancing has been just fantastic. I’ve grown so much and I’m so thankful to have met this person (Katya).”
The duo had previously faced criticism for a “joke” during the show, prompting Wynne to later express on his radio how he was “absolutely heartbroken” by the negative response, believing the interaction was “totally misinterpreted”.
The controversy comes at a time when Strictly Come Dancing celebrities have vocalised issues with their treatment, leading the show to implement stronger welfare measures like providing chaperones during rehearsals.
The show also featured a performance from the Pet Shop Boys, who performed their new single All The Young Dudes, and the professional dancers delivered a sultry routine to Jacob Gade’s Jalousie tango.
Despite earning 35 points from the judges, Montell found herself in the bottom, while reality star Pete Wicks was saved by the public vote despite receiving only 27 points from the judging panel.
Wynne was second from the bottom with 31 points. The remaining seven couples will return to the dance floor next week when Strictly Come Dancing airs live at 7.05pm on Saturday on BBC One.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.