Wynne Evans 'is struggling mentally' with fallout from spit-roast joke

Wynne Evans is 'struggling mentally' and is unlikely to be well enough to be grilled by the BBC next week over his off-colour remarks and jokes including one about Janette Manrara and a spit-roast, MailOnline can reveal today.  

The Welsh tenor, 53, is under the daily supervision of doctors and his worried girlfriend Liz Brookes hasn't left his side, an insider has said.

Wynne, whose £200,000-a-year deal with Go Compare is said to be under threat, has now been accused of making inappropriate comments while filming his new Welsh odyssey show with Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page.

He also faces a complaint about his choice of words on BBC Radio Wales, where he has a weekday morning show.

His joke about a spit-roast with It Takes Two star Janette Manrara, revealed by the Mail on Sunday, and a gag to a Strictly make-up artist that the folds of skin around his neck and chin look like a vagina, are also set to be investigated by the BBC.

MailOnline can reveal that Wynne is at his lowest ebb - but is aware that his jokes have at times been made in error.

His spokesman said: ‘He recognises that his humour has, at times, been misplaced.

‘He is struggling mentally to come to terms with the enormity of the situation he faces.

'He’s been thrust into the middle of the abyss and he’s dealing with it the best he can, slowly’.

The BBC wants Wynne to meet them in London next week to get his version of events.

But MailOnline understands he is being assessed daily by doctors and based on how his current mental health, he is unlikely to be well enough to attend.

‘The BBC is trying to help Wynne the best it can’, a source aware of the investigation Wynne faces has said.

'Wynne is being assessed daily by doctors. He is being supported by his friends and has good people around his. His girlfriend has been by his side throughout', the insider told MailOnline.

Wynne has stepped away from the Strictly tour, a huge payday for him, for joking about ‘spit roasting’ Ms Manrara, whose husband is Aljaz Skorjanec.

The locker room-style joke has caused another storm.

Wynne has said he is taking a break from the public eye for ‘self-reflection’ and to ‘prioritise my wellbeing.’ 

'I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused’, he said.

But there is still a lot of affection from both dancers and celebs for Evans, 53, who agreed to step aside after he made a demeaning sexual remark about host Janette.

This followed ‘gropegate’ in October when he placed his wandering hand round the waist of dance partner Katya Jones during the live BBC show. It was said to be an ‘inside joke’.

Katya has now asked for ‘compassion’ towards the opera singer and said: 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.'

Wynne has been accused of making more inappropriate comments on his new BBC show with Joanna Page.

The Gavin and Stacey star had subtlety distanced herself from him, calling  Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea 'my show' and sharing 15 promo pictures on social media - but only one with her co-host.

The six-part series kicked off last week in Cardiff and Barry just as Mr Evans stepped away from the Strictly tour after he made a joke about sex positions and It Takes Two star Janette Manrara.

Wynne, whose £200,000-a-year deal with Go Compare is said to be under threat, has also faced a complaint about his choice of words on BBC Radio Wales. He has steppe away from his morning show.

Katya Jones has sparked fears she might be gearing up to quit the BBC show as she reportedly 'feels betrayed' by the Wynne Evans' departure.

According to The Sun, the professional dancer, 35, feels let down by the corportation's treatment of the opera singer, 53.

Wynne has agreed with the BBC to 'take some time out' from his radio show and the Strictly Come Dancing live tour 'to prioritise my wellbeing', he confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

An insider told the publication: 'Katya is really upset about what has happened and feel like it's all been blown out of proportion.

'She was shocked that bosses hauled Wynne in and feels like they have been thrown under the bus.

'Her friends are worried this is making her fall out of love with the show and wonder if she will do it again next year. There is only so much drama she can take.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Katya for comment and the BBC declined to comment.

It comes just after Wynne, famed for playing a portly Italian opera singer in a string of insurance ads for Go Compare, announced his departure from the tour in a grovelling statement following a string of scandals.

The BBC had previously refused to release a statement on whether or not he had been axed from the tour.

He is also reportedly trying to salvage his infamous spot with Go Compare, whom he has worked with since 2009, as he risks losing his six-figure salary.

And the Beeb has faced criticism from viewers over the decision to continued airing his new show All At Sea, which he co-hosts with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page.