Wynne Evans has confirmed he has been axed from the BBC and will not be returning to his BBC Wales radio show.
The Welsh opera singer, made famous by the Go Compare adverts, left the Strictly live tour in January after he was caught making an obscene sexual remark to host and dancer Janette Manrara.
He was involved in a backstage sex toy prank with Strictly co-star Jamie Borthwick, who claimed he bought him a sex toy as a joke during the live tour.
The 53-year-old apologised for the comment, left his BBC Radio Wales radio show, and largely withdrew from the limelight as the BBC launched a wide-ranging investigation into the incident.
Evans has now revealed he has been dropped by the BBC and will be launching his own radio show away from the network, according to The Sun.
"My beloved Wynners, From the very depths of my heart — thank you,” he said in an emotional statement to fans.
Evans went on: "These past few months, your love has been the light in my darkest days. Every message, every word of encouragement, every moment you stood by me has carried me through more than you could ever know.
“It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract so I won’t be returning to my radio show. I’m gutted.
"That show wasn’t just work — it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family.”
He continued: "But here’s what I believe with everything I’ve got: what we built cannot end here. So — deep breath — here goes... We’re getting the band back together.
"The Wynne Evans Show is coming back, live every day from 9am–12pm on a new app, on Alexa and Google (we don’t have to say 'smart speaker' anymore!) and at www.wynneevansshow.co.uk.
“This is our next adventure. And I need you more than ever. We will have great music, my question of the day, the mystery voice, your soundtrack stories and so much more, because we have each other again."
The Standard has contacted Evans’ representative for comment.
It comes amid Evans’ apparent bid to restore his reputation with the BBC.
Last month, it was reported that the TV personality handed over a “dossier” of evidence to the BBC following his removal from the Strictly tour.
He has submitted a collection of videos and screenshots to the broadcaster as part of a bid to prove his innocence, according to The Sun.
Sources close to the singer said he believes his reputation has been unfairly “left in tatters” despite issuing an apology.
Evans has maintained that the remark to Manrara — which was captured on video — was never directed at her. He claims other cast members were aware of the context at the time.
