The recent incident prompted Katya and Wynne to post a video explaining what happened(Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing 'struggling' after Wynne Evans and Katya Jones controversy

An incident involving opera singer Wynne Evans, who plays the role of Gio Compario in the Go.Compare adverts, and Katya Jones caused a stir amongst Strictly viewers over the weekend

by · Wales Online

Strictly Come Dancing is "struggling" amid a flurry of "negativity" this year, as fresh controversy surrounds Wynne Evans and Katya Jones, a PR consultant has claimed.

Opera singer Wynne Evans yesterday revealed he was "heartbroken" after receiving criticism for what he and Katya later described as a "misjudged" joke.

On Saturday's episode of Strictly Come Dancing, Wynne was seen placing his hand on dance partner Katya Jones’ stomach, which she then brushed away.

However, it wouldn't be the only awkward moment between the pair, as in another segment of the popular dance competition, Katya appeared to refuse to give her partner a high five and then turned to face the cameras.

Wynne was seen placing his hand on dance partner Katya Jones’ stomach(Image: BBC)

The Times reports that Mark Borkowski, a crisis PR consultant, said the recent incident is evidence "that Strictly this year is struggling. There seems to be more negativity about Strictly than there is positivity." He added: "It's tired, like all reality programmes".

It also prompted Katya and Wynne to post a video explaining what happened, with Katya telling fans that it was a "joke" and they were simply "messing around".

In the caption, Wynne apologised and said they "really are amazing friends" and the high five is a "running joke".

Speaking on Radio Wales, Wynne said: "Firstly I would say that I'm absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day and it's hard. It's not nice to live in that time.

"But basically, Katya and I are really, really close, and we're really good friends and on Saturday night, we made a stupid joke. It was a stupid joke that went wrong. We thought it was funny. It wasn't funny. It has being totally misinterpreted."

Katya appeared to refuse to give her partner a high five(Image: BBC)

Despite the fallout, Wynne said securing second place on the leaderboard for Saturday's Tango led to a "massive high" and explained that he "remembered all the notes" and "danced like your life depends upon it".

He also revealed that he initially felt "embarrassed" to perform in front of others when he first stepped on the Strictly dance floor. Wynne added that despite his concerns, it had been "brilliant" and highlighted how he was now "going out in front of millions of people on a Saturday night".