Mark Llewelyn Evans, the brother of Wynne Evans, has voiced his thoughts on the star’s exit from the Strictly Live Tour and initiated an online petition.
It comes after the opera singer disclosed on Tuesday night that he had mutually agreed alongside BBC bosses that he should withdraw from the tour due to remarks he made about It Takes Two host Janette Manrara.
His brother has now spoken up in support of the star during this difficult time and even launched an online petition to ensure fair reporting on him.
On Twitter, his brother defended: “As a brother, I want to express my unwavering support for him during this challenging time,” before he spoke highly of his sibling in a public statement.
He continued: “Wynne has a heart of gold and the courage of a lion, paired with a talent that outshines most. His charisma and humour have brought joy to countless people.”
He then shared the link to his petition which states: “Demand Fair Treatment for Wynne Evans by the British Press”. According to reports, Wynne was overheard making inappropriate sexual remarks about Janette, using the derogatory term “spit roast” in reference to a sexual act.
Last night, he announced on his Instagram that he will no longer participate and wrote: “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.”
It is believed Wynne had been warned multiple times about his behaviour prior to the incident. Wynne’s brother wrote in a petition: “I am Mark Llewelyn Evans, brother to the unfairly targeted Wynne Evans, who has recently been the subject of unjustified hostility by the British press.
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“The integrity of Wynne, a beloved figure in our household and across Britain, has been maliciously and cruelly attacked, causing him tremendous distress and jeopardizing his career.”
He continued: “Our family, still reeling from the recent loss of another brother, is further devastated by these uncharitable attacks on Wynne.
“The British press’s unchecked negativity towards Wynne is not reflective of his wide-ranging support from the British public. We believe in his undeniable talent, which richly contributes to the UK’s cultural sector. He is cherished by many who eagerly await his return to BBC Radio Wales and the Strictly Come Dancing stage.”
Mark concluded: “It’s time to demand the British press demonstrate responsibility, fairness, and restraint in their coverage.
“To this end, we call on the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the UK’s independent regulator for newspaper and magazine industry, to scrutinize these instances of targeted hostility against Wynne Evans and enforce their Editors’ Code of Practice.”
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