Katya Jones has hit out at critics for “attacking” Wynne Evans on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show It Takes Two.
The professional dancer doubled down on her claims that their awkward exchange on Strictly Come Dancing was an inside joke, adding that fan reaction had ‘overshadowed’ her live performance.
The duo took to the BBC Two show to review their performance on Saturday, but began by addressing fan speculation about two incidents on the show.
When host Fleur East asked them how they felt their dance went, Katya interrupted her to address Wynne’s hand on her waist during the weekend’s live performance.
She said, ‘Can I get something out of the way that overshadowed our performance for no reason?
‘Can’t Bear sitting here watching this man be portrayed as something he is not.
Katya Jones lashes out at critics for ‘attacking’ Wynne Evans on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show It Takes Two
Previously, Katya was forced to dismiss growing rumors of a feud after she was caught removing his hand following his live performance on Saturday.
The professional dancer doubled down on her claims that their awkward exchange on Strictly Come Dancing was an inside joke, adding that fan reaction had “overshadowed” her live performance.
The duo looked very cozy on the show and during the interview, the Russian dancer placed her hand on the opera singer’s arm and leaned towards him.
Despite Katya’s tactile display, Wynne kept his hands in his lap but seemed comfortable as the dancer answered Fleur’s questions.
The professional dancer continued her defense of the star, telling viewers that her interpretation of events was far from the truth.
She continued: “This couldn’t be further from the truth and I have to make it absolutely clear that this entire incident and the high five on Saturday night was an inside joke.”
‘Was it a stupid joke? Yes, was it bad? Yeah.’
Wynne then chimed in and added that after seeing the footage she could understand how fans of the show could have come to the conclusion that something was wrong between the couple.
He said: “I’ve seen it and I can see how people may have misunderstood it.”
Katya then continued: ‘However, it was a joke and the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is total nonsense.
Katya and Wynne admitted that their ‘inside joke’ had been silly, but rejected the idea that there was anything wrong between them.
Wynne explained that after seeing the footage she could understand how fans of the show could have come to the conclusion that something was wrong between the couple.
Katya said: “It was a joke though and the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is total nonsense.”
‘For those who have doubts, you have made a mistake and I hope this is the end.
‘And hopefulYou just keep making me smile.’
Wynne previously admitted that he is “heartbroken” by the reaction when his professional partner Katya Jones removed her hand from his waist during Saturday night’s live show.
The pair apologized and said the moment was a “joke” after a clip showing the incident was widely shared on social media.
The controversy revolves around a moment when Wynne appeared to slide his hand around Katya’s waist, before she pushed him away. Later in the show, Evans offered her partner a high-five, which she ignored before turning to the camera, stone-faced.
It comes amid increased scrutiny of BBC One’s popular dance show after celebrities spoke openly about their treatment on the long-running series, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Opera singer Wynne, 52, known for Go Compare insurance adverts, said fans’ angry reaction was “tedious” and admitted the “joke” was “not funny”.
He told BBC Radio Wales: “I am absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day.”
“It’s not nice to live in that time, but basically Katya and I are very, very close and very good friends, and on Saturday night we made a stupid joke.
‘It was a stupid joke that went wrong, okay, we thought it was funny. It wasn’t funny. It has been totally misunderstood.
‘It’s all on Katya’s social media. She has talked about it. She explained that it was a joke. She wasn’t offended in the slightest. She doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
“We have a brilliant friendship, an absolutely close friendship, and I’m sorry if anyone was offended by it, but it was a joke and yeah, that’s all there is, there’s really no real story.”
“And I feel weird apologizing because I feel like I haven’t really done anything.”
He agreed he had “misjudged” him when interviewed on Radio Wales Breakfast before starting his own show on the station, and confirmed he was “absolutely still prepared for” Strictly.
He said: ‘I’m having the time of my life. “I just don’t want this to be what people remember.”
The radio presenter also said he found the furore “tedious” and said people can tune in to hear the pair discuss it on spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
While the dancing duo talked about whatever secret romance was going on behind the scenes in a recent interview, Wynne randomly directed the question to Katya.
Wynne asked, ‘I haven’t seen anyone (approaching), are you approaching anyone?’
On Sunday, Wynne and Russian dancer Katya, 35, posted a video on Instagram saying they were “just playing around at the Clauditorium on Saturday night and just wanted to say sorry.” It was a stupid joke.’
And responding to several X users, formerly Twitter, the dancer said: ‘You got our joke!’
At another point on Saturday night, Jones seemed reluctant to high-five his famous partner.
A caption alongside his video explained that “high fives are a running joke.”
But viewers of Sunday night’s results show were not convinced by the explanation, claiming they had seen Katya “glaring” at her famous partner.
During the show, Claudia asked Wynne how he was feeling and noticed that he seemed surprised.
Wynne responded: “I’m in shock because I didn’t think I would survive the first week, so to be here after having done a tango is really exciting.”
“And I had a great time and thanks to Katya’s clever choreography.”
When Wynne gave her response, fans noticed that Katya remained impassive and even appeared to grimace as the opera singer evaluated her performance.
A Strictly source said: “Wynne and Katya have confirmed that their Clauditorium interactions were silly pranks they had planned together and have apologized to anyone who misinterpreted them.”
‘They addressed them on Wynne’s Instagram, where his apology can be found.
‘Katya would like to clarify further that Wynne did not offend her and did not make her feel uncomfortable in the slightest.
“The social assistance team has monitored the couple and there are no further actions planned.”
The duo earned their highest score yet on Saturday, with the judges giving them 34 points for their tango to Abba’s Money, Money, Money on Saturday.
In a post on Sunday after the results were revealed, Katya said on Instagram: “Thank you all so much for your kind support!
‘We are very excited for the next dance. Every day Wynne makes me smile and laugh, but every Saturday she leaves me absolutely speechless when she takes dancing to the next level!
‘It’s so impressive and I can’t wait to create another number for you to perform!’
Strictly’s Wynne Evans, 52, asked Katya Jones, 35, if she was “getting close to anyone” on the BBC show during a recent interview.
Puzzled, Katya replied: ‘Me?’ Wynne said: ‘Yes. I don’t know, I haven’t seen you get close (with anyone), although you could be.’
Escorts have been installed on Strictly during rehearsals this year after the BBC launched a review after Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington complained about her 2023 professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice.
The BBC apologized to Ms Abbington and said: “We have assessed the complaints and have confirmed some, but not all, of the complaints raised.”
Pernice has always denied the allegations and said he was “happy” after the investigation cleared him of most abuse allegations.
Outlining the programme’s new duty of care measures in September, the BBC said: ‘In July, we introduced new measures for training and rehearsals, which are in place for this year’s programme.
‘These included a member of the production team present during rehearsals in the training room at all times; two new roles on the show dedicated to social support: a social welfare producer for celebrities and a social welfare producer for professional dancers (both started work in August); and additional training for professional dancers, production team and crew.
