Disgraced Go Compare frontman Wynne Evans has been dropped from future adverts, The Mail on Sunday understands.
It comes after the newspaper exposed the 53-year-old making a vile sexual comment about a Strictly Come Dancing host in January.
The insurance firm was in ‘ongoing crisis talks’ with the Welsh opera singer after his lewd sexual remark about Janette Manrara, 41, during a photocall for the then forthcoming Strictly Live Tour.
The source told the MoS: ‘The whole ordeal has been a real headache for GoCompare.
‘It’s been a tough decision for them because Wynne is undeniably a major part of their branding. It’s also been tricky to even have him in the current ads, so it’s best not to have him filming for the next ones.’
A spokesman for GoCompare declined to comment last night.
The firm has continued to use previously filmed commercials with Evans, who has since been nicknamed ‘Grope Compare’.
Their latest advert was released two weeks before he was filmed by the MoS referring to ‘spit-roasting’ Ms Manrara, who was hosting the live tour. Evans appears briefly at the end wearing his usual Gio Compario bow tie and dinner jacket.
Wynne Evans, the tenor known for the Go Compare ads and as a BBC radio presenter, was recorded crudely suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara using the demeaning term ‘spit roast’
Ms Manrara, 41, a professional dancer, was at a photocall to launch the Strictly Live Tour in January when the comment was made
Evans arriving at his hotel after pulling out of a Glasgow performance of the Strictly Live Tour following the publication of his unseemly comments, citing an ankle injury
While GoCompare appears to be distancing itself from Evans, the BBC has repeatedly refused to confirm his future. He was forced to issue an apology and the BBC insisted they did ‘not tolerate’ such behaviour.
Evans was also dropped from the tour and it was announced he would be ‘taking time off’ from presenting his BBC Radio Wales show. Seven weeks later, he has still not returned to hosting it.
When asked this week by the MoS if Evans would be coming back, the BBC simply referred to his January statement apologising for his ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ language.
Now taking legal action, Evans’ lawyers have reportedly compiled a 30-page dossier to take to showdown talks as he fights to keep his beloved radio job.
The father-of-two was also caught up in an earlier controversy when viewers spotted his dance partner Katya Jones forcibly removing his hand as it strayed across her waist.
Evans attempted a comeback on Friday night by asking his Instagram followers what they were doing for the weekend.
Evans is best known for playing the twirly-mustached Gio Compario character in Go Compare’s advertising campaigns
During last year’s televised shows, the 52-year-old (left) was also accused of ‘groping’ his dance partner Katya Jones (right)
During one of the live shows in October 2024, Wynne put his arm around Katya only for her to knock his hand away
A second awkward interaction saw the pro dancer appear to shun her celebrity partner’s attempts at a high five – although the pair later claimed both incidents were a joke
It’s the first time the singer has addressed fans since being forced to take a break from his radio show.
He wrote: ‘What’s everyone doing this weekend? Most interesting wins a prize which is probably one of my CDs from the loft or some tat left lying around.’
One person replied ‘A lazy one with lots of music’ to which Evans said: ‘You need my CD. Direct message me your address.’
He also plugged his BBC show, All At Sea, with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, which aired after the scandal.
