STRICTLY star Wynne Evans has split with his girlfriend after she was left ‘humiliated’ over his latest scandal.
The Go Compare singer, 53, started dating events manager Liz Brookes, 50, in the spring of last year.
Opera star Wynne began the relationship after the break up of his 16 year marriage.
But during the BBC show he was plunged into a scandal when he was seen sliding his hands across the stomach of his pro partner Katya Jones.
Then came his latest lewd gaffe at the Strictly Live Tour when he joked about “spit-roasting” pro dancer Janette Manrara – which was captured on camera.
A TV insider said: “Although she loyally stood by him in public, Liz was humiliated by what happened when he was on Strictly.
“She always knew he was a bit old school, and actually liked the fact he seemed rough round the edges. She just assumed it was all part of his charm.
“But Wynne seemed to develop a particularly close relationship with Katya and seems to have gotten carried away which many suspected contributed to ‘gropegate’ happening.
“Katya was also an enthusiastic defender of him when the scandal broke in October, taking to social media and appearing on TV to say it was actually an ‘inside joke’ between the two of them.
“It was very difficult for Liz, but she continued to back him throughout the rest of the contest, often being seen in the audience enthusiastically applauding him right up to him being knocked out in Blackpool week in November.
“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.”
She helped him bounce back from divorcing his wife, with whom Wynne has two kids.
But fitness fanatic Liz, who comes from Cardiff, also assisted him in losing weight in preparation for Strictly.
She was also present in the audience, often with Wynne’s son Tal, throughout the contest and would regularly post on social media about how proud she felt towards her boyfriend after his performances.
The Sun exclusively revealed the two were in a relationship at the start of October – just two weeks before the evening of gropegate, when his new girlfriend was watching in the studio.
At the time it was believed Liz had a good relationship with Katya.
But after initially following her on Instagram, the pro dancer has since unfollowed her on the social media site.
Welshman Wynne previously said he struggled with dating apps when he was single and many women only wanted to meet him because he was Gio Compario from the comparison site adverts.
On his mental state following his break-up from his wife, he said: “I had very dark thoughts and very dark days where I would contemplate all sorts of terrible things.
“I think it’s obvious what I’m saying, but I don’t want to say it because some people find it distressing. I’m fine to talk about it now, but at that time nothing would help me.”
TOUR OVER
Wynne issued a statement confirming he would no longer appear on the Strictly Live tour.
It comes as The Sun revealed he now faces a battle to save his career after being axed from the official Strictly Come Dancing tour following a string of lewd sexual comments.
Wynne said: “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 all my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.
“I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused and plan to take this time for self reflection.
“Apologies to those I won’t get to see for the remaining performances and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.”
The Welsh opera singer now risks losing his six figure salary as the face of Go Compare – the job that made his name.
Meanwhile the BBC faces further pressure to shelve his new travelogue, Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea – filmed alongside Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page – which aired for the first time 24 hours after the scandal broke.
Last night a spokesperson for Go Compare did not respond to request for comment.
The star previously came under fire last year when he was seen ‘groping’ Katya on telly but they laughed it off as a joke[/caption]
Wynne apologised for ‘any pain caused’ and ‘inappropriate behaviour’ after being axed from the Strictly live tour[/caption]
