Vanessa Feltz slams 'despicable' Wynne Evans after Strictly tour scandal

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during the Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour
-Credit:PA


Vanessa Feltz has slammed Wynne Evans' behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing as "revolting" and "despicable". The broadcaster spoke about the scandal on her YouTube channel.

It comes after the 53-year-old Welsh opera singer recently stepped away from the Strictly tour. He reportedly made a crude remark to Janette Manrara at a press photocall event.

On her channel, Vanessa said: "What he said was A revolting, B despicable, C predatory, D bullying – it goes on and on and on. It was in every way demeaning to women, insulting to Janette Manrara, an affront to decent behaviour, a complete disregarding of MeToo as if it had never happened, as if the 'old ways' are still the good ways. What he said was inappropriate, demeaning to women, and an affront to decent behaviour."

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She continued: "Nobody's even realised that you shouldn't make jokes or comments like that about women in public or indeed in private. That's never happened. Weinstein never went to prison, MeToo never happened, there's been no heightening of consciousness or awareness about this sort of thing.'

"Women are people. Men are people. We all have to treat each other with professionalism and respect in the workplace, on the bus, on the train and bloody well everywhere else.

"I was really really hoping that we were inching towards it. Now Cate Blanchett says MeToo hasn't taken root in Hollywood. I don't think it's taken root here either. I do not think so in the least."

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Vanessa concluded: "It is despicable to behave like this. It is despicable that anyone can get away with behaving like this. It is despicable, I think, for anyone to defend behaving in this nasty, bullying, sexually predatory, disrespectful way. And I for one am not sorry that Wynne is no longer on the Strictly tour."

Wynne Evans previously said: "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.

Vanessa Feltz has paid tribute to her friend Paul Danan (Ian West/PA)
Vanessa Feltz has paid tribute to her friend Paul Danan -Credit:PA Wire/PA Images

"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."

Vanessa also discussed an earlier incident in which Wynne appeared to place his hand around his dance partner Katya Jones' waist during a live broadcast. She said: "The two of them conspired to pass it off as nothing, just a private joke.

"But it must have been embarrassing behind the scenes, he must have felt, 'Oh my God, I really should not be seen to do something like that – and I shouldn't just be seen to do it, I shouldn't do it."