By Ellie Gosley,Karen Price
Copyright dailystar
Wynne Evans has expressed deep regret over the controversy that arose during his stint on Strictly Come Dancing , stating that he will “regret” the incident for the rest of his life. The renowned Welsh opera singer is eager to “close that chapter” with a “full and sincere apology” and move on. The 53-year-old , who is perhaps most recognised for his role in the GoCompare insurance adverts, disclosed in May that he had been dismissed by the BBC and would no longer present on BBC Radio Wales. This followed an apology for using “inappropriate language” at the launch of the Strictly tour. As Strictly makes its return to our screens, Evans has taken to Facebook to issue another apology and share his experiences during this “incredibly hard” period. He confessed that he now believes he “wasn’t prepared” for all the aspects that came with participating in the popular BBC programme. He stated: “On the anniversary of my Strictly debut I want to close that chapter of my life with a full and sincere apology. I used a nickname for somebody that was inappropriate and unacceptable. I take full responsibility for that – I don’t blame anyone but myself,” reports Wales Online . “I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. I shouldn’t have said it. “At 53 losing my singing work, my TV work, and my radio show was incredibly hard – but it was my fault and I own that. “The truth is I wasn’t prepared for the level of press attention that came with Strictly and I didn’t handle it well. Looking back I can see how much it affected my mental health. “Sometimes the bravest choice isn’t to carry on but to step back when you know something isn’t right for you. That’s a lesson I’ve had to learn the hard way. “Now I want to focus on the future. Thanks to MasterChef I was able to open The Welsh House – a restaurant rooted in its community. “I’ve also launched The Wynne Evans Show, which has become the most positive, loving space I’ve ever been part of. It’s full of laughter, kindness, and connection – a proper tonic and proof that when life knocks you down you can rebuild stronger.” The broadcaster revealed that despite the difficult period he endured after his stint on the programme, he’ll forever cherish “fond memories” of Strictly and offered encouragement to this year’s hopefuls. “I’ll always have fond memories of Strictly and I want to wish all the contestants the very best of luck in this year’s series – especially Katya,” Evans declared. “The real magic of the show is families at home – kids with scorecards cheering. So enjoy it… and be thankful you don’t have to watch me attempt the samba again!” Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One on Saturday, September 20
