Latest news with #BBCWales
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Disgraced Strictly star Wynne Evans starts new venture well away from TV
With his TV career hanging by a thread, Wynne Evans has started on a new path - as an Airbnb host for a property near his hometown in Wales. The Go Compare star, 53, who was born and raised in Carmarthen, has listed the property which is just eight miles away in Llansteffan on the home rental site. Wynne was dumped by BBC Wales after using vile sexual innuendo during the Strictly Live Tour and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones, who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. Earlier this month, Wynne claimed on This Morning that the sacking and fallout left him 'suicidal' and also stated: 'There has never been any complaints about me. Ever!' Yet it was revealed by the Mail on Sunday that there'd been seven complaints from women over his conduct at BBC Wales between July 2023 and August 2024. But away from his TV career, Wynne appears to be exploring other avenues as he has set up a new property investment business called Wildvine Properties Ltd, with the nature of the firm being buying and selling real estate and lettings. It appears to centre around his pad in the coastal village, which is a 90-minute drive from Cardiff. The property is called Wild Vine Cottage and is hosted by James, Wynne's first name. In his bio, despite his BBC sacking, he says he still 'works for the BBC in Wales'. Further adding: 'New to this but looking forward to welcoming you to Wales. It's my home and I want to share it with you.' The three bedroom property, just a short walk from the beach, has positive reviews from guests. The property features prints of Wynne as the Go Compare caricature and a selection of framed records. A piano in the living room doubles as a bar, as a rotary four bottle stand filled with martini, gin and whiskey can be seen in photos for the property. The cosy property boasts a log burning stove in the open plan lounge, which also includes an L-shaped sofa, dining table and television. The other rooms which include a kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom are equally as charming. The property sleeps up to six people. The description of the property states: 'Newly decorated three bedroom house in the village of Llansteffan - stunning beach, ruined castle, walks and wildlife, good pubs. 'Beach 3 minutes, 3 big bedrooms, 1 bathroom, large kitchen, large dining room/sitting room, no garden, TV, free wifi, suits children and adults, dogs welcome. 'I've got some stuff in the house but you'll have the run of the place for yourself. Friendly neighbours in a lovely village. 'Sea shore - great for shells, birds, rockpools, lots of sand, cafe, dogs have seasonal territory. Coastal walks, castle and countryside. 'An excellent base for exploring and adventure or simply a Sanctuary for Rest. For the young - great beach for play.' Wynne's also been advertising it on his public Facebook saying to his legion of fans 'If you fancy a weekend in west wales have a look here'. But away from his TV career, Wynne appears to be exploring other avenues as he has set up a new property investment business called Wildvine Properties Ltd, with the nature of the firm being buying and selling real estate and lettings Wild Vine Cottage is a detached house spread over 1,270 square feet and has a current valuation of £251,000. It last sold for £155,000 in 2019; since then, its value has increased by £96,000. The average price of property in High Street is £384,000. The BBC received seven complaints from women over Wynne's conduct towards them, including one claim he made an inappropriate comment about a pregnant woman's breasts during a Zoom call. The Mail on Sunday's revelations came days after the opera singer, axed from his BBC Wales breakfast radio show last month, protested on ITV's This Morning that there had been no allegations made against him. He appeared on the show last Wednesday to tell hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: 'There has never been any complaints about me. Ever!' The MoS disclosed that BBC Wales staff raised the seven separate grievances between July 2023 and August 2024, including a period after Wynne was approached to appear on last year's Strictly Come Dancing. Four of the complaints were made before he joined Strictly, raising questions over why the dance show's producers signed him up. Three more were made after he had been chosen for the show. A report into his behaviour was prepared in January for a disciplinary hearing which he said he could not attend, citing mental health issues. The Go Compare frontman's time on Strictly was mired in controversy. The Mail on Sunday told in January how he was filmed using the vile term 'spit roast' – a three-way sex act – to his co-star Jamie Borthwick in relation to professional dancer Janette Manrara during the launch of the Strictly Live Tour. He apologised and left the tour. Wynne had earlier been caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with his Strictly dance partner, Katya Jones. One source said of the BBC Wales complaints: 'Some of the comments he made were awful. 'Imagine making a comment about a pregnant woman's breasts. His behaviour left many women feeling uncomfortable.' A former colleague, who wants to remain anonymous for fears of career repercussions, told the MoS the complaints were well known among staff at the Welsh broadcaster but 'everyone was afraid to speak out' because Evans was seen as 'untouchable'. She said: 'That's why he got away with it for so long and why he will get away with it.' The woman revealed how the father-of-two's inappropriate behaviour 'built up over the years'. She said: 'At first, he was known as an idiot and a clown but it turned into something more sinister and tipped into being inappropriate and uncomfortable to be around and work with. 'These complaints are real. He is not just someone who has made a few rude jokes. There are women who have made complaints and he was warned time and time again and just kept going. 'The argument that he has of 'Oh, I'm just a product of my time. It's just a joke'... well, those times are gone and you can't act that way, especially if you have been warned about it.' A BBC spokesman said: 'We take any issues raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ruth Jones' marriage from 'affair' beginnings to sudden split after 26 years
Gavin and Stacey icon Ruth Jones and husband David Peet recently shocked fans after releasing a statement on their split, with it later revealed one of them is already in a new relationship TV icon Ruth Jones and estranged husband David Peet shocked fans when they recently released a statement on their split. The couple, who were married for 26 years, are now legally separated but "remain good friends" as they explained the reason behind their split in a statement shared to fans on Wednesday. In a statement shared with the PA news agency, they said: "We amicably went our separate ways 18 months ago and are now legally separated. We remain good friends. Since our separation, Ruth is living in London and David is living in Canada, where he is in a new relationship." READ MORE: 'Brilliant' air cooling fan that keeps homes cool during the heatwave slashed from £150 to £40 The couple's split came as a shock to many after almost three decades of marriage, with Ruth being stepmother to his three children, Louise, Alex and Fiona They first met when they both worked at the radio division of BBC Wales - with love blossoming between the two after they heard each other speak. She previously joked about how she met him, speaking to The Scotsman: "It was love at first voice because I spoke to [him] on the phone before I met him." Sharing more details of her husband, who has since moved on with a new partner, Ruth told The Independent in 2008: "He has a very sharp mind combined with a dry Yorkshire wit, making him a naturally funny man." They properly met each other while filming the pilot episode of a BBC comedy in the early 90s. However, David was married at the time and Ruth later confessed there was an overlap between David's split from his wife and when they started to date. "Affairs cause a lot of pain; they're not something one aspires to do," she explained. "You don't aspire to cause pain to people in their life." During their lengthy marriage, they resided in Cardiff and created the production company called Tidy Productions, which created hit sitcom Gavin & Stacey. While Ruth was mainly private about her marriage, she once discussed her views on children and her happiness of being a stepmother to David's kids. Ruth told the Daily Mail: "It just didn't happen. It wasn't a decision. I don't have a burning desire to have babies. I think it's heartbreaking if you do and you find out you can't have them. I love being a stepmum — all the joy of motherhood without the pain of childbirth." And she told The Scotsman of the "joys of parenthood without giving birth" that she adores her role as a stepmum. She gushed: "You take things as they come. Unfortunately, after over two decades together, the couple called time on their relationship. They released a statement this week revealing they "remain good friends".
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'I'm scared dad will die in hospital 140 miles away'
A son has said he is being robbed of precious time with his father after he was placed in a mental health hospital nearly 140 miles from home. Bernard Mendoza, 83, who has dementia, had to be moved from his Wrexham care home after he became aggressive towards staff and other residents, but the nearest suitable bed was in Northampton. His son Danny Mendoza has called the system "broken", and is worried about his father "passing away in there, and being so far from home". Betsi Cadwaladr health board said it was "extremely sorry," and wanted to bring him home as soon as possible. I love dad to bits - but being his carer has broken me 'I know I'm going to have early onset dementia' 'I do press ups every day so I can care for my son' Earlier this year, Danny, 54, from Gresford in Wrexham, told BBC Wales how he had been the sole unpaid carer for his father after he developed dementia three years ago. But the isolation of "living like a hermit" pushed Danny to "breaking point", and his father was eventually offered a place in a Wrexham care home. Bernard settled in well and Danny was able to visit daily. But in recent weeks his father's condition has worsened, and after several incidents of aggression towards staff and residents, Danny agreed he needed to go into a mental health hospital. Danny said his father had become so aggressive he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, but was told the only suitable place available to care for him was a two hour and 40 minute drive away at St Andrew's Hospital in Northampton – a £40 trip Danny can only afford to make once or twice a week. He said: "It's appalling – not a single bed in north Wales, or the whole of Wales? "It's not going to help me, it's not helping dad, it's not going to help the staff who look after him to settle him. It's not right. "The time I've got left with my dad is precious. I don't know how long we've got left, and that's why I need him somewhere close to home, so I can spend time with him – what time he's got left. "It's just the fear of him passing away in there and being so far from home." Danny said it was upsetting seeing his dad so "badly confused" as he does not know where he is, staying in a "strange hospital". Danny said he felt "powerless" and racked with "guilt". "I just want to be there for dad," he said. "He needs love, he needs support. And having my dad placed in Northampton, it's just having a huge impact on me. It's just so upsetting that we can't do better in this day and age." Danny said he completely understood his father had become a risk to himself and others, and needed to be moved to a more specialised environment. But he fears other families could have loved ones being cared for hours away, and said funding for more suitable beds and treatment closer to home was urgently needed. "We've got an ageing population. Unless the funding keeps pace with demand, then the system is going to collapse." He said people deserved "more respect than that" when they age and become ill with dementia. Charity Carers Wales said Danny's situation was "quite a common occurrence". Rob Simkins, head of policy and public affairs, added: "I just think it's a really sorry state of affairs that in 2025, in one of the richest countries in the world, people are having to travel two-and-a-half hours to go and look after the people they provide care for, or go and visit them. "I think we can do better than that in Wales." Mr Simkins said it painted a picture where there was not enough infrastructure close to people and their families, putting "additional stresses and strains on carers trying to help and support the people they provide care for". "We need to get it sorted, and quickly," he added. Teresa Owen, an executive director at Betsi Cadwaldr health board, said: "I am extremely sorry for the situation Mr Mendoza and his son find themselves in. "Unfortunately, we work in an extremely pressured system and sometimes we do not have the capacity to admit to our own facilities in complex cases like these. "Sadly, there was no-one available to us to provide the type of care Mr Mendoza needed closer to his home, at the time he needed help. "We are focused on him receiving the best care and bringing him back home as quickly as possible." The health board's mental health and learning disability team's east division has four patients at St Andrew's. The number of patients has decreased in the past year, but there is "still more work to do," she added. "You can be assured this is a priority for us, as we want people to be closer to their homes and their families." The Welsh government said it provided £12.7m a year to support implementing its dementia action plan. It added: "Our mental health and wellbeing strategy aims to ensure when people need support, care or treatment, they will be able to access a range of services seamlessly and delivered as close to home as possible."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wynne Evans 'takes jibe' at BBC after Strictly scandal as he shares career announcement
Wynne Evans 'takes jibe' at BBC after Strictly scandal as he shares career announcement Wynne Evans has returned to the airwaves with his new internet radio show, The Wynne Evans Show, at home, after he was dropped from his BBC Wales breakfast radio show last month Wynne Evans seems to have made a dig at the BBC as he kicked off his new radio programme. The Go Compare opera singer, 53, has made a comeback on the airwaves after his departure from his BBC Wales breakfast radio show last month due to allegations of making inappropriate remarks. His exit followed his removal from the Strictly live tour for an "unacceptable" comment about It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara. Following the incident, Wynne issued an apology, expressing that he was "deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions caused". After stepping back from the limelight for a period of "self-reflection" and to concentrate on his mental health, Wynne has now re-emerged and has made several statements regarding the handling of the controversies, reports Edinburgh Live. The vocalist, who danced with Katya Jones on last year's Strictly, which saw Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell take the victory, has candidly discussed the effect the scandal had on him, taking him "to the darkest spot of his life". Article continues below Wynne has launched his own weekday morning internet radio show, The Wynne Evans Show, broadcasting from his home, where he appeared to make a jibe at his previous BBC colleagues in his opening remarks. Wynne was dropped from the Strictly tour after an inappropriate joke (Image: BBC ) "Must be lovely and peaceful over there now. Plenty of time to finally finish that game of Solitaire," he quipped to his audience of 40,000. Alex John, a listener and fellow Welsh performer, also commented: "The BBC made a massive mistake and I think they will start to realise it. "The show this morning was filled with laughter and tears; it was incredible. Can't wait to tune in again tomorrow. "Wynne's more himself, the music has massively improved, and it's more of a laugh than ever." On a recent This Morning appearance, Wynne opened up to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard about how deeply the scandal affected him. Wynne has spoken about the impact has had on his mental health (Image: ITV ) "I was at my lowest ebb, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people," he confided. Overwhelmed with emotion, he remembered telling his girlfriend, "I have to kill myself. I have to because this is what they want." "You're full of these thoughts the entire time, and it takes over your life," he went on to say. Wynne shared that a crisis team was watching over him and highlighted the fact that his loved ones had organised a rota to never leave him alone. In response to concerns, the BBC and BBC Studios previously issued a statement regarding the welfare of those on their show, emphasising that duty of care is taken "extremely seriously". "We want Strictly to be a positive experience for everyone involved," the statement asserted. Wynne was partnered with Katya Jones on Strictly (Image: PA Wire/PA Images ) It elaborated: "Every celebrity and pro dancer is offered a pre-series psychological review. They complete 'wellbeing questionnaires' with the welfare producers and talk about the type of experience the celebrity would like on the show and expectations of training from both sides." The statement also mentioned: "Everyone working on Strictly, in front and behind the camera, has attended workshops addressing the culture of the show and expected behaviour. "Building on previous protocols, there is a formal exit interview process for all involved as they leave the show, which will be logged and documented. "These new measures build on longstanding processes and procedures on the show. We will always look at whether there is more we should do." Wynne has returned to the airwaves after being left "gutted" by the end of his BBC radio show (Image: BBC Radio Wales ) Following the decision by BBC to not renew Wynne's annual Radio contract in the wake of the Strictly controversies, after being investigated for four months, he expressed his disappointment. Article continues below On Instagram, he conveyed: "It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract, so I won't be returning to my radio show. I'm gutted. "That show wasn't just work - it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family." Listeners can tune in to The Wynne Evans Show from 9am to 12pm, Monday to Friday, accessible via his website
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Wynne Evans 'takes swipe' at BBC as he makes career move after Strictly axe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Wynne Evans appears to have taken a swipe at the BBC as he launched his new radio show. The Go Compare opera singer, 53, has returned to the airwaves after being dropped from his BBC Wales breakfast radio show last month, following claims of inappropriate comments. It came after he was axed from the Strictly live tour after an 'unacceptable' joke about It Takes Two host Janette Manrara. Wynne apologised soon after, saying he was 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions caused'. He took a break from the public eye for 'self-reflection' and to focus on his mental well-being. However, Wynne has now returned to the spotlight and made several comments about the way in which the controversies were handled. The singer, who was partnered with Katya Jones on Strictly last year, which was won by Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, has spoken openly about how the scandal impacted him and led him 'to the darkest spot of his life'. He has now opened his weekday morning internet radio show at home, and began by seemingly taking a swipe when mentioning his former BBC colleagues. 'Must be lovely and peaceful over there now. Plenty of time to finally finish that game of Solitaire,' he said. The BBC and BBC Studios released a statement last year about the show's duty of care, saying it was taken 'extremely seriously'. 'We want Strictly to be a positive experience for everyone involved,' the statement read. Following the news that the BBC had decided not to renew Wynne's one-year rolling Radio contract after a four-month investigation following the Strictly controversies, the star admitted he was 'gutted'. He shared on Instagram: 'It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract, so I won't be returning to my radio show. I'm gutted. 'That show wasn't just work — it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family.' The Wynne Evans Show can be listened to from 9am to 12pm, Monday to Friday, on his website . This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest news, pictures and videos. You can also get email updates on the day's biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
