BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans' struggles with 'sad house' that 'wasn't for him'

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans has shared his struggles with his home, which he moved into after splitting from his wife of 16 years, Tanwen, eight years ago

Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans reveals he struggled with life in a "sad house" that was bereft of "no glass in the windows" after moving in following his divorce.

After parting ways with his wife Tanwen after 16 years of marriage, Wynne purchased a home in Cardiff, even though he didnt wish to leave the home where they'd lived with their two children. The BBC Radio Wales presenter, now 52, acknowledged that the property he bought was in serious disrepair at the time, a derelict structure he wasn't entirely convinced he wanted.

On an episode of The Starting Line podcast with host Rich Leigh, Wynne shared his feelings: "It was a really sad house, because it was derelict, and I moved here after a divorce. I didn't want to move here, I wanted to stay married."

He went on to describe the purchase: "So I bought it and it just became sad. It was a sad place."

The opera star's initial days in the new house were far from smooth, with the central heating system "blowing up" as soon as he attempted to use it. A lack of furniture also meant that his kids had to camp out in tents within their bedrooms during visits, reports Wales Online.

Wynne and his professional dance partner Katya Jones found themselves at the centre of a new Strictly storm this weekend over an awkward hand incident.

The opera singer slid his hand around the dancer's waist, which she then pushed away. The video quickly went viral on social media.

A second clip of the pair then showed Evans trying to high-five his partner before seemingly getting rejected.

Evans wrote on social media: "We were just messing around. We really are amazing friends.

The dancer also backed up her partner, writing: "Now, I need to make something crystal clear. The hand incident that happened on Saturday night was an inside - a very, silly, very silly - inside joke between Wynne and I.

"So even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended me in any way is complete nonsense.

"It's quite absurd actually. Now, can we just focus on how brilliantly he's doing and what an amazing dancer he's becoming?"

The welfare team checked in with the pair but it is understood no further action is planned.

Wynne prioritised making his children's bedrooms comfortable, which resulted in him sleeping on a bed that once belonged to his deceased parents, brought over from Carmarthen.

He elaborated: "I got the kids bedrooms ready first and I had to get new heating put in. And I was living in a bedroom, bearing in mind I'm presenting everyday on Radio Wales, I was doing GoCompare, I was doing all these things and people thought I was successful but I was living in a bedroom with no windows, with no glass in them.

"It was boarded up because all of the windows had gone. I came to see the house and it was the size I wanted and it's what I could afford.

"I said to the estate agent, 'this is not for me this house, this house is definitely not for me'. The house was an absolute tip, the garden was beautiful, I don't know what the guy was doing here before. It was just terrible."

Wynne eventually found himself enamoured with the property, commenting on its "a lot of original architecture" that included "amazing" doors and ceilings. However, it was something quite unexpected in the garden that prompted his decision to buy.

He recounted: "My mother, for some reason, since I was about seven, and I still can't quite work this one out, for Christmas every year would get me a Drambuie. And I love Drambuie now as a result.

"I went into the garden, turned round, and there was a line of Drambuie bottles against the wall. And that's why I bought it."

Since taking over the home, Wynne has thoroughly transformed the detached period residence. He has infused each space with his distinctive touch, populating it with cherished items that resonate personally with him.

Wynne's tireless efforts have transformed the once "sad" property into his ideal home, with each room boasting its own distinct character.

He revealed to WalesOnline: "I've got quite a strange taste I guess quite a flamboyant taste. My bedroom I suppose is kind of out there I've got a picture of John Inman and Mrs Slocombe from the TV show Are You Being Served? in pop art above my bed with a retro neon pink Welsh blanket on the bed and bright yellow walls. It's very eclectic and very different."

This evening, Wynne will swap his decorating skills for dancing shoes as he takes to the Strictly Come Dancing floor with partner Katya Jones to perform the tango to Abba's Money, Money, Money.