20 November 2025 , 06:47
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Ex-Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans has admitted that he ’ended up in hospital’ after attempting suicide following his various scandals on the show. The 53-year-old competed on the dance competition’s series last year and was partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones.
However, his time on the show was marred by controversy - with Katya seen moving Evans’ hand away from her waist and refusing to high-five him on air. They later explained that it was a joke to see whether viewers at home would notice.
He was later dropped by the BBC after using "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly tour. He explained earlier this year that he used the term "spit roast" - which refers to a lewd sexual act - as a nickname for his co-star Jamie Borthwick.
Now, Wynne has opened up about the impact that the scandals had on his career, revealing that someone rang an ambulance for him after discovering that he had tried to take his own life.
"I went on a dancing show and ended up trying to take my own life," he told GMB’s Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid. "I did end up in hospital - somebody found me, rung an ambulance and luckily for me, I’m here today."
He added that he felt he had no choice after being hounded by people on social media and the press. "They hound and hound and hound you. It’s been interesting watching the Caroline Flack programme of late because in your head, you go, ‘The only way I can make these people stop is by taking my life,’" he said.
"You’re punishing not them, you’re actually punishing yourself and your family. I’ve realized that since but at the time, I thought the only way I could make this noise stop in my head."
When asked whether he would sign up for Strictly if we could turn back time, Wynne said: "I wish I’d had a better insight into it before I went into it. It’s given me a greater understanding of my own mental health and where I am in my life and how I can help other people who don’t want to talk about mental health."
He added: "I’m learning from my mistakes but not letting them define me for the rest of my life."
Reading out a statement from the BBC, Susanna said: "We provided a comprehensive duty of care for Wynne, including support by wellbeing professionals. He was also provided with direct access to a designated contact at the BBC who was able to assist him at any time.
"He’s been offered continued support since his contract with the BBC concluded."
The Mirror has reached out to the BBC for comment.
During the chat, Wynne also admitted that his "hijinks" with Katya looked "creepy". He said: "It does look creepy and I apologize for that.
"Of course, it looked weird on the TV, it looked really, really odd, when I watch it back now I’m like ‘oh no’, but it was just messing around in the ‘Claudatorium’, and it was hijinks, if you like."
Politics Editor