Strictly Come Dancing star faces backlash for 'breaking rules' during live show

Fans of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing have accused one contestant of 'breaking the rules' during the live show. An emotional Wynne Evans concluded his performance on this Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing by unexpectedly breaking into song.

The 52-year-old singer and Celebrity Masterchef winner returned to the dance floor with his professional partner Katya Jones on Saturday, November 2, amidst rumours of potential tension between them. In honour of the BBC One programme's 20th anniversary, the contestants were challenged to deliver their finest performances for the Icons Week, reports the Mirror.

Wynne performed a rumba to Shirley Bassey's 'This Is My Life', a tune he confessed "hits me in the heart." After an emotional routine with Katya, Wynne seized the moment to belt out the song's last line alongside the live band, earning a standing ovation from those in attendance.

While host Tess Daly and judge Anton Du Beke were visibly impressed by Wynne's vocal prowess, viewers at home had mixed feelings, with some suggesting that the opera star had breached the spirit of the dance contest.

Critics took to Twitter, now X, to express their disapproval, with one viewer criticising Wynne's lack of movement: "Second week in a row Katya danced around a barely moving Wynne...and singing is not dancing."

Another said: "Wynne singing over and over again in a DANCING competition really was not required."

A third added: "I'm sorry this isn't a singing competition. How is it fair that Wynne gets to sing at the end?? Always giving him new rules and special treatment."

Another added to the scrutiny by saying: "Wynne just stood while Katya danced round him and then spent the last 20 seconds singing (when it isn't a singing show) just wanting more attention... Those scores do NOT match what he did. I repeat last week's thoughts. What does Wynne have over the BBC judges?".

Following these comments, some Strictly fans began to wonder if there's tension between Katya and Wynne. One observant fan wrote after Saturday's episode: "Absolutely nothing will convince me that Katya and Wynne are speaking outside of their rehearsals/show time. they're not even stood together again #Strictly".

Even James Jordan, a former pro on the show, didn't hold back his opinion and said: "This won't be a popular opinion but for me they were both trying to be so emotional it actually became comedic."

Rumours of feud had been fuelled a few weeks back when an awkward clip of Wynne and Katya surfaced online.

In one telling incident during a show, Wynne was filmed placing his hand on Katya's stomach, only for her to swiftly move it to her hip. In another, viewers noticed Katya refusing to high-five Wynne as they stood beside Claudia Winkleman.

The duo stepped up to remove any speculation on the situation, labelling the incidents as an jokes between the pair. Katya released a personal statement, denying any issue, saying the rumours were "complete nonsense".

After the intense episodes, the BBC announced that it would be pursuing "no further action" after confirming the welfare of both Wynne and Katya.