Who is Wynne Evans? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2024 contestant and broadcaster
Wynne Evans has been partnered with Katya Jones.
Heading into Week 9 of Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 season, Wynne Evans and Katya Jones, like all the other contestants this year, will know that they have to bring their A-game now they will be performing in the iconic Blackpool special.
The couple only just got through to Blackpool after beating Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu during the dance-off. Their American Smooth to Grace Kelly by MIKA, didn't quite hit the mark with the public.
In the final dance-off, judges Anton and Shirley voted to save Wynne and Katya, whilst Craig and Motsi voted to save Shayne and Nancy. When there is a tie, head judge Shirley gets the final say and she ultimately saved Wynne and Katya, meaning they got a ticket to the Tower Ballroom.
Will they climb back up the leaderboard this week? Time will tell.
But where might you have seen him before, and what has he said about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing 2024? Read on for everything you need to know.
Who is Wynne Evans?
Age: 52
Job: Opera singer, radio presenter
Instagram: @wynneevans
X: @wynneevans
Strictly partner: Katya Jones
Fans will likely know Wynne from his appearances on adverts for the insurance comparison website Go Compare, playing the moustachioed character known as Gio Compario (or 'the Go Compare Man').
Before then, Wynne had originally achieved success as an acclaimed opera singer, and he has gone on to become a recording artist, reaching number one in the UK Classical Charts.
In 2023, he competed on Celebrity MasterChef - winning the entire season.
Wynne Evans's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week 1: Samba (6+6+7+7) = 26
Week 2: Viennese Waltz (7+7+8+8) = 30
Week 3: Cha Cha (7+7+8+8) = 30
Week 4: Tango (8+9+9+8) = 34
Week 5: Quickstep (7+9+9+8) = 33
Week 6: Salsa (7+8+8+8) = 31
Week 7: Rumba (7+7+8+8) = 30
Week 8: American Smooth (7+8+8+9) = 32
What is Wynne Evans dancing to in Week 9 on Strictly?
Wynne and dance partner Katya will be dancing the Charleston to Carmen Suite No. 1: 5. Les toréadors by George Bizet in the Blackpool special.
What has Wynne Evans said about joining Strictly 2024?
Wynne said in a statement: "I am honestly still pinching myself, a partly balding opera singer, me, taking part in Strictly Come Dancing?! I’m not entirely sure how I’ll get along, if all else fails I’ll just have to learn the art of distraction.
"What I do know is I will give it my all and aim to make Wales proud. I’m definitely going to try and combine my love of Opera into one of my routines.
"Plus, after winning Celebrity MasterChef last year, maybe the route to the judges’ hearts will be through their stomachs!"
In an interview with BBC Radio 2's Vernon Kay, Evans said that he was inspired by Bill Bailey's successful run on Strictly Come Dancing, in which he stormed to victory against the odds.
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He explained: "The classic ballroom stuff is what I'm looking forward to the most. Obviously, for 20 years I was an opera singer so we did a lot of classic ballroom in operas. Not a huge amount, not to any great level.
"[But] I suppose that's the stuff I've got more affinity to... Viennese Waltz, stuff like that. The stuff I'm really nervous about is the stuff that needs any kind of jumping because I think I represent every portly, middle-aged father out there.
"I don't really want to do the Jive and set a minor tsunami off in North London. I'm a bit nervous about that but I'm taking inspiration from Bill Bailey because he was brilliant on it."
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 16th November at 6:45pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
Aaliyah Harry
