Wynne Evans' resilient romance with girlfriend after BBC crisis talks put 'strain' on couple

It's been a challenging few weeks for Wynne Evans, whose crisis talks with the BBC have been "delayed" following his shock axing from the Strictly Come Dancing tour. But there's one special person in his life who has stuck loyally by his side.

Last month, the 53-year-old opera singer issued an apology for using "inappropriate and unacceptable" language during a photocall event, and announced that he had agreed with the BBC to "take some time out" from both his BBC Radio Wales show and the live tour to "prioritise" his "wellbeing".

Wynne, who rose to fame as the 'GoCompare Man', has been supported throughout the saga by girlfriend Liz Brookes, 50, who was spotted cheering the Welshman on from the audience throughout his bumpy Strictly ride. Now, a month on since stepping down from the tour, Wynne has been spotted out and about in Cardiff with events manager Liz, with the pair appearing happy and relaxed as they embarked on a Sainsbury's shop.

Wynne was previously left heartbroken after his 2016 divorce from Tanwen, the mother of his two children, and it's understood that Liz has proven to be his rock - staying defiantly by his side as the Strictly drama rumbles on.

During the fourth live show Wynne and Katya hit the headlines when she appeared to awkwardly brush his hand away from her waist, which the couple later put down to an inside joke. "I'm absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me," said Wynne on his BBC Radio Wales show. "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."

That same night, Liz made her feelings clear on social media when she shared a sweet snap of them cuddling on the dancefloor, saying she was "so proud of this one tonight". There was further controversy to come after Wynne was axed from the Strictly Come Dancing tour, following a lewd comment that was captured on camera.

At a photocall event in Birmingham, during the tour's launch, the Welsh opera singer, was heard using sexualised language that appeared to make others feel uncomfortable. The comments were directed towards Strictly tour host Janette Manrara, and were made while he was huddled together with his fellow Strictly stars.

The interaction began when the tenor sang out: "Go Compare," adding: "Not too close to Jamie." He then used the demeaning term "spit roast" - in reference to an explicit sexual act.

In a statement, Wynne told the Mirror: "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise." Confirming he'd been dropped from the star-studded tour, Wynne told Strictly fans: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that I’ll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.

“I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and I plan to take this time to reflect on my self. Apologies to those I won’t get to see at the remaining performances, and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.”

A spokesperson for the tour and BBC Studios said: "We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints. We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour."

Last month, it was reported that Wynne and Liz had parted ways, with a source claiming that it had been "difficult for Liz" to watch "gropegate" unfold on social media. The insider told The Sun: "It's not clear exactly when they split, but friends say that when his latest lewd gaffe was revealed at the Strictly Live Tour launch she was relieved they were no longer together."

However, it would appear that the couple are still going following a rocky period, with a source informing The Sun: “Wynne’s departure from the tour and his radio show was a really tough time and it put his relationship with Liz under strain. They have now reconnected and Liz is completely supporting Wynne.

“She is back in his house in Wales and they are very much a couple. These past few weeks have been hell for Wynne but to have Liz by his side has made all the difference.”

Wynne's fitness-fanatic girlfriend is said to have hugely aided his weight loss, with the star weighing 24 stone at his heaviest. He lost seven stone by giving up bread, burgers and cheese and reducing his alcohol intake.

Exercise came into play too. "One day I started doing a little bit of running - well, walking, actually, at the start," he said. "Then I slowly lost weight. So when the call came from Strictly I thought: 'This is the right spot'."

"It was almost like grief, but you can't grieve for somebody that's still there," said Wynne previously of unhappier times. "So, it really affected my mental health, my confidence and my ego - it totally changed me as a person. I had very dark thoughts and very dark days where I would contemplate all sorts of terrible things."

"Wynne and Liz met at an event and are taking things slow, but he's excited about where the relationship might go," a source told The Sun. "He is in a much better place now than when his marriage ended. It's like night and day — and he is so happy."

This follows reports that Wynne is allegedly facing "crisis talks" with the Beeb, which have reportedly been postponed by a few weeks on account of the situation having been "weighing heavily on his mind".

A source told The Sun: "Wynne was due to meet the BBC last week to talk about the concerns raised against him and how, if they could, move forward. Wynne was ready to fight but in recent weeks he has been struggling mentally."

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