SHAMED Strictly star Wynne Evans faces a desperate fight to hold onto his career after a string of blunders.
The renowned opera singer, 53, was axed from the Strictly arena tour yesterday for an inappropriate sexual joke he made to Janette Manrara, 41, and Jamie Borthwick at a media photocall.
Wynne Evans has employed a top crisis PR amid his Strictly turmoil[/caption]
The under fire star turned 53 this week[/caption]
Gaffe-prone Wynne alluded to a threesome by using the term “spit roast”, outraging fans of the show and prompting bosses to remove him from the production.
It followed an incident early in last year’s series when he was criticised for placing his hand on dance partner Katya Jones‘ midriff before she quickly removed it – though both insist there was no issue.
Wynne has now taken leave of absence from his BBC Wales radio show and split from his girlfriend, while his lucrative £1m deal with GoCompare is also in doubt.
Yesterday he issued a statement apologising for his behaviour in which he said he is entering a period of self-reflection.
Top crisis PR Mark Borkowski, who has previously worked for the likes of Prince and Led Zeppelin during his 35 year career, is the man tasked with saving Wynne’s tarnished reputation.
Borkowski transparently outlines his top tips for helping a bruised media personality on his website in a ‘crisis reel’.
Helpfully breaking down the strategy into an eight-step plan, Borkowski insists good can come from any crisis.
NO TELL-ALL INTERVIEWS
Using Prince Andrew’s disastrous Newsnight interview about his association with Jeffery Epstein as a case in point, Borkowski insists there are “softer ways” to get a message across.
The royal got himself tied up in knots with interviewer Emily Maitlis, bizarrely insisting one of the reasons he couldn’t have sexually assaulted a then 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre as she claimed is because he can’t sweat.
TAKE OWNERSHIP
With social media providing a permanent record of all that is said, Borkowski says that backtracking in the modern age is impossible, so why not hold your hands up and play on public sympathies?
He warned about having a ‘God complex’ while referencing plane-making giants Boeing, who he suggests viewed itself as bigger than past scandals it was embroiled in.
THINK STRATEGICALLY
Patience is always a virtue, especially so in crisis management. The PR guru espouses the importance of confidence and striving towards an end goal.
Citing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s post-Megsit fallout as an example, the famous couple set about rebranding themselves as cultural figures by releasing Netflix content and books.
FIRST MOVE ADVANTAGE
Borkowski advises clients to set the tone of the wider conversation; don’t be reactive, but get ahead and lead the agenda.
Borkowski’s remaining key advice consists of the following: don’t deny problems, never blame others, don’t underestimate groupthink, and ending with optimism, there are always comeback opportunities.
His website proudly displays successful cases including the famous neighbour row between guitar hero Jimmy Page and Robbie Williams after the pop star sought to develop his property.
Wynne made an inappropriate joke about Janette Manrara[/caption]
The firm encouraged Page to let the media into his home to see just how the building work would affect the historic mansion. Borkowski credits this transparency with helping turn the tide of public opinion as well as the local council.
It remains to be seen if his know how is enough to protect Evans’ media career though.
For the tenor’s part, his new BBC show with Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page in which they explore their home country remains on screens, suggesting a way forward.
With that said, even though he claims to have the support of a number of Strictly stars, Wynne’s pal Joanna isn’t following him on Instagram, hasn’t spoken in support of him publicly and has kept mentions of him during promotional social media posts to a minimum.
It certainly seems like there are personal rifts to heal as well as professional.
Wynne Evans’ Strictly scandals
‘Grope’
Wynne encountered a backlash after his Strictly pro partner Katya was filmed removing his hand from her waist.
Fans insisted she looked uncomfortable as she moved it away – but Katya later insisted there was no problem.
In joke
They then sparked further fury, when she was seen refusing to high-five the Opera singer.
The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent “inside joke”.
Crude joke
Wynne came under fire for allegedly telling a “crude” joke to one of the show’s make-up artists.
Insiders claim the opera star made a joke that the folds of his double chin “looked like a vagina”.
A source said: “It was a bit of a vulgar dad joke.”
Vile comment
Wynne was recorded suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term “spit roast”.
His remark came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour, which pro Janette, 41, is hosting.
He reportedly pulled a suggestive face at actor Jamie Borthwick as Janette moved between them — which is when Evans allegedly made the joke.
Wynne has apologised saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”
