Strictly's Wynne and girlfriend in good spirits as he leaves show after awkward Katya scenes

Wynne Jones, 52, was pictured smiling while holding his girlfriend Liz Brookes' hand on Saturday night after dancing alongside his partner Katya Jones during week five of Strictly

Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans and his girlfriend looked in good spirits as they left the show on Saturday night hand in hand hours after fans claimed to spot awkward scenes with his dance partner Katya Jones.

The Welsh opera singer, 52, was seen smiling alongside his partner, events manager Liz Brookes. While heading back to their hotel after the show, Liz was carrying a paper bag and wore a leopard print top paired with a black jacket, black leather trousers and black boots.

Wynne, in a casual look with a pair of jeans, a colourful shirt with butterflies on it, a cardigan and white shoes, carried an M&S bag and was all smiles. Other stars who were seen going back to their hotel after the live show were Tasha Ghouri, who was snuggling up to her boyfriend Andrew Le Page, and Shayne Ward, who kissed his fiancée, Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin.

Since last week's live show, Wynne and Katya have been embroiled in a scandal after the GoCompare man placed his arm on the professional dancer's waist - and despite them dismissing it as an "inside joke", fans have claimed they feared Wynne was not his usual self as they returned to the dancefloor last night. The pair were seen stood apart during the live show, before fans feared Wynne didn't wasn't smiling and joking with his co-stars as he usually does. Things then took a turn when it was their turn to perform.

During their introduction video tape, Katya insisted that she was not prepared to "carry" Wynne through the routine. This hasn't gone unnoticed with fans taking to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their views. One said: "Wynne is a shell of his former self #Strictly." A second added: "Wynne and Katya. Oh dear. #strictly."

"Wynne and Katya looking awkward is comedy moment of the night.#strictly," commented another. The pair danced a bouncy quickstep to Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra, following the pair apologising for the "inside joke." Welsh opera singer Wynne finished with a mayonnaise blob left on his head, and Jones cleaned it off. Judge Anton Du Beke said: "It's a lovely show, when you dance", while Motsi Mabuse called it "exquisite". Jones held Evans's arm as the pair received 33 points.

In their opening video tape, Katya said Wynne needed to "take it to a whole new level," with the Welsh singer later saying their routine felt like a "gym routine." Katya added: "It's not something he's used to." But Wynne interrupted saying: "She is way more tired than I am."

"What I was trying to say is, I need to build my stamina if I'm to carry him for this routine," Katya said while laughing. She added: "The question is, is Mr Blue Sky ready to fly on Saturday night?" as Wynne commented it was time for the audience to "find out." Shortly after their performance last week, the pair both took to social media to claim the moment was simply an "inside" joke and wasn't to be taken seriously.

But at the time viewers were not content with their explanation, leaving Wynne to publicly address the situation once again, while on a radio show. At the time he said he was "heartbroken" things had gone as far as they had, as there was nothing un-toward between the two.

Katya and Wynne appeared on Strictly spin off show It Takes Two where they once again addressed the situation. Katya said: "I actually can't bear sitting here watching this man being portrayed as someone he's not and in fact it couldn't be further away from the truth. "

She added: "I have to make this absolutely clear that this whole incident with the hand and the high five on Saturday night, it was an inside joke between Wynne and I. Was it a silly joke? Yes. Was it a bad joke? Yes."

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