WYNNE Evans is battling to save his career over crude sexual “gags” to Strictly crew and co-stars.
The opera singer risks losing his six-figure salary as the face of Go Compare — the job which made his name.
It comes as it was revealed the tenor, who turned 53 on Monday, has also split with his girlfriend over his lewd behaviour.
Last night he issued a grovelling apology, saying he “agreed with the BBC that I’ll take some time out”.
The broadcaster also faces pressure to shelve his new travelogue, Wynne & Joanna: All At Sea, with Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page.
He has also stepped back from his BBC Wales radio show.
Wynne was recorded on video suggesting three-way sex with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term “spit roast” at a photocall to launch the Strictly tour.
Last night, a BBC insider said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult situation for all concerned.
“The BBC are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
“But in this day and age, it felt untenable to keep Wynne on the tour.
“It was detracting from what is otherwise a family-friendly show.
“He had been warned repeatedly about his language, but the inappropriate remarks kept coming.
“And once one was captured on video, there was no going back.
“He is a man of a certain age, and it’s fair to say his puerile remarks — while funny to him and perhaps other men of a certain age — wore thin.”
They went on: “He made jokes about at least two, very graphic sexual positions, and said the folds on his chin resembled a vagina”.
The chin comments were reportedly made while he was having his makeup done for Strictly.
Our source continued: “Ultimately this isn’t acceptable.
“The BBC have a safeguarding duty for everyone on the tour.
“Wynne has had a tough time of late.
“And it should be said he remains very popular with celebs and pros on set.
“His brother died recently, and he probably needs time off to reflect.”
In his apology last night, the star 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 commitments, to prioritise my well-being.
“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.”
Following his latest gaffe, at the Strictly photocall in Birmingham, he and the BBC issued statements.
Wynne apologised and telly bosses said they had warned the star about his behaviour.
The star was pictured in Glasgow at the weekend looking downcast.
Wynne revealed this month his older brother had died, calling him his “hero and inspiration”.
Execs at GoCompare, the insurance comparison website which Wynne has fronted since 2009, are understood to have held crisis meetings about their star’s future.
The singer, who made his name as moustached Gio Compario in the famous ads, is paid around £200,000 a year for his part.
A source added: “His deal with them hangs by a thread.
“Wynne is so popular with viewers, so it will be a very tough call, but the sense is it is hard to keep him on.”
GoCompare did not respond when The Sun asked for comment last night.
Wynne was trending on X for much of yesterday after news broke of his axing from the tour.
Viewers also asked the BBC why his show with Joanna is still on air.
Its first episode aired 24 hours after the scandal broke on Sunday.
There are five more episodes left to run.
It comes as Wynne split from girlfriend of almost a year, Liz Brookes, amid the scandal over his crude behaviour.
After signing up for the BBC1 dance contest he was plunged into “Gropegate” when he was seen sliding his hands across the stomach of his pro dance partner Katya Jones.
A TV insider said: “Although Liz loyally stood by him in public, she was humiliated by what happened.
“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 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, taking to social media and 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 up to him being knocked out in Blackpool Week in November.
“It’s not clear exactly when they split, but friends say when his latest lewd gaffe was revealed at the Strictly Live Tour launch, she was relieved they were no longer together.”
Liz helped him bounce back from divorcing his wife, with who Wynne has two kids.
Fitness fanatic Liz, from Cardiff, also helped him lose weight.
She was in the audience throughout Strictly, often with Wynne’s son Tal, and would post on social media about how proud she felt towards Wynne.
At the time of Gropegate, it was believed Liz had a good relationship with Katya.
The pro dancer has since unfollowed her on social media.
Wynne’s spokeswoman did not respond when asked for a comment on the split.
