How Katya Jones and Wynne Evans' Strictly friendship unravelled and what next for 'heartbroken' star
It was a weekend of drama for Strictly Come Dancing as a number of viewers were left unimpressed by an 'uncomfortable' incident involving opera singer Wynne Evans and his professional partner Katya Jones
Strictly Come Dancing has once again seen viewers focusing on backstage drama rather than the performances from the star-studded 2024 line-up.
Controversy from the 2023 series is still rumbling on one year on thanks to Amanda Abbington and former Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice both interpreting the results of a BBC investigation into the Sherlock star's complaints last year very differently, but the show has now been hit with a fresh scandal.
After performing a tango to the Abba song Money, Money, Money on Saturday night, opera singer Wynne Evans and his dance partner Katya Jones hit the headlines thanks to viewers watching at home spotting a couple of very awkward interactions between the duo.
READ MORE: Strictly star Wynne Evans’ ‘forced’ apology video sees Katya Jones give away tell-tale sign
READ MORE: Strictly fans slam Katya Jones' statement as they spot simmering Wynne feud is still ongoing
But what actually went on over the weekend? Both Wynne and Katya have issued statements downplaying the "uncomfortable incident, with Wynne saying he was "heartbroken" as he addressed the controversy on Monday morning, but is something bigger happening behind the scenes?
Here's everything you need to know about Saturday night's drama and where things stand now...
What happened between Wynne Evans and Katya Jones on Strictly?
The drama involving Wynne and Katya this weekend stemmed from not one but two awkward incidents during the BBC series' live show. Viewers were left stunned on Saturday night when Wynne, 52, seemed to caress fellow dancer Katya's stomach during a green-room gathering with the other contestants as host Claudia Winkleman opened the voting lines for week four.
The dramatic moment saw Wynne place his hand on Katya's waist while standing behind her before his hand began to wander. A clearly annoyed Katya was seen swatting away his hand sparking speculation and some negative feedback from the show's audience watching at home. A second awkward interaction saw Katya apparently ignore her celebrity partner's attempts at a high five after Sam Quek and Nikita Kumzin 's performance.
Eagle-eyed fans at home noticed the uncomfortable moment when Wynne tried to high five Katya, who appeared to ignore him and turned to face the camera instead. Wynne looked shocked and put his head in his hands as the "running joke" unfolded and the show went on.
Shortly after the botched high five, viewers spotted the second awkward moment - Wynne seemingly trying to place his hand on Katya's waist, only for her to brush it off - and social media users quickly flooded sites like Twitter (X) and Facebook speculating about a possible feud.
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones' statements after viewer backlash
Wynne and Katya quickly released a joint video statement dismissing any concern, with the professional dancer later sharing a solo update denying any feud and claiming Wynne's actions were part of an inside joke, but Strictly Come Dancing fans are still voicing their concerns
In a joint video message shared on social media, Katya said: "Hello everybody it's Wynne and Katya here. We just wanted to say we were just messing around in the Clauditorium on Saturday night and just want to say sorry. It was a silly joke." Wynne quickly added his own apology: "Yes sorry."
He also took to the caption of their post to express regret: "Apologies for this tonight we were just messing around. We really are amazing friends. The high 5's is a running joke. Have a great evening @katyajones." Despite the apologies, fans couldn't help but notice Wynne's hand placement on Katya's waist more than the high fives, although there has been no suggestion on the show of any inappropriate behaviour.
The joint statement didn't reassure fans so Katya was forced to return to Instagram on Sunday night to defend her Strictly partner against any suggestions of inappropriate behaviour, insisting that the controversial gesture was all in good fun. "I need to make something crystal clear," Katya told her Instagram followers, stating: "The hand incident that happened on Saturday night was a very silly inside joke between Wynne and I. So even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is complete nonsense. It's actually absurd."
Strictly's new welfare team checks in on Katya Jones
Strictly Come Dancing's welfare teams had to step in this weekend to check on Katya and Wynne amid viewer concern over the weekend. Insiders have confirmed that the show's new welfare officers did indeed check on them but decided no further action was necessary.
An insider revealed: "Wynne and Katya have confirmed that their interactions in the Clauditorium were silly jokes they had planned together and have apologised to anyone who may have misinterpreted them. They addressed them on Wynne's Instagram, where their apology can be found. Katya would like to clarify further that she was not offended by Wynne and was not made to feel uncomfortable in the least. The welfare team have checked in on the pair and there are no further actions planned."
New safeguarding measures introduced this year for Strictly Come Dancing include chaperones to oversee contestants and dancers during rehearsals. These changes follow the BBC's recent expression of regret to Amanda Abbington after probing complaints against her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice, who has since departed from the show.
Wynne Evans reveals his heartbreak over 'stupid joke'
Wynne expressed his devastation over the backlash from "a stupid joke that went wrong" during Saturday's episode as he opened his BBC Radio Wales show on Monday morning. "I'm absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day," Wynne told listeners.
He continued: "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, OK? We thought it was funny. It wasn't funny. It has been totally misinterpreted."
He continued: "Everything's on Katya’s socials. She's talked about it. She's explained that it was a joke. She wasn't offended in the least. She doesn't feel uncomfortable. We've got a brilliant friendship, an absolutely tight friendship, and I'm sorry if anybody was offended by it, but it was a joke. And that's all there is. There is no real story, really."
Late on Sunday night, after clarifying she was being made to feel uncomfortable by Wynne, Katya told her Instagram followers she was looking forward to another week of dancing with the Go Compare mascot. Sharing a snap of herself dancing with Wynne after the pre-recorded results show aired on BBC One, Katya penned: "Another week of dancing !!! thank you! Thank you so much for your kind support everyone!
"We are so excited for the next dance. Every day Wynne makes me smile and laugh, but every Saturday he leaves me absolutely speechless when he takes the dance to another level! It is soo impressive and I can’t wait to create another number for you to perform! Week 5!!! Whoop whoop!!"
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