Strictly Come Dancing has seen its fair share of scandal this year, having launched a major BBC probe well before this year’s series began.
However, the latest show has sparked speculation that Wynne Evans and dance partner Katya Jones could be embroiled in a new controversy.
Jones was spotted snubbing the opera singer on Saturday’s show after he attempted to high five his dance partner during the live programme.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted Jones, 35, rejecting Evans, 52, with the moment – which was caught on camera in the background of Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin’s samba results – sparking a lot of online speculation.
Jones appeared uncomfortable as she left Evans hanging, turning around to face the cameras without responding to Evans.
It came just moments before fans also noted Jones pushing Evans’ hand off her waist. Evans himself has addressed the moment, arguing he hasn’t “done anything”.
Unfortunately, the strange interaction might have cost Evans his place in the show, with the latest odds revealing he could be at risk.
Paul Merson, 56, remains the favourite to be eliminated this weekend, according to the latest odds form betting company Betfred, who place him with 5/4 odds to go.
However, odds for Evans to be in the dance-off are at a staggering 1/8 (99 percent implied probability), with odds of him actually being eliminated at 7/2.
Despite being strong performers, since Tom Dean’s shock exit in the first dance-off, the company has continued to see more bets placed on the elimination market for middleground contenders like Sam Quek, Montell Douglas, and Shayne Ward.
Punters believe that this year’s series is as much about a couple’s broader appeal as it is about their talent and scores, especially for those who may lack a strong and vocal fanbase.
Analysing the latest odds, Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius said: “Sunday night’s dance-off once again showed that no stars are safe this series, with many surprised to see Shayne Ward fighting for his place in the competition against Nick Knowles.
“It seems that the popularity and likeability of this year’s couples are arguably more important than the judges’ scores and their positions on the leaderboard.
“This is shown by Paul Merson, who has slogged through the competition so far, despite being stuck at the bottom of the leaderboard. It seems his fellow Arsenal fans and football pundits are backing the former England star to go far in his ballroom journey.
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones attempted to set the record straight on Monday’s It Takes Two
BBC
“However, despite defying the odds several times this series, Paul remains the bookies’ favourite to leave this weekend, priced at 5/4, as he continues to avoid what seems to be an inevitable exit.
“Close behind him is Dr Punam Krishan at 3/1. Although Punam shone during Movie Week, she slipped last weekend, making several mistakes.
“If she doesn’t pull it together by Saturday, it could once again come down to popularity between her and Paul to decide who ends up in the dance-off.”
For one contestant, popularity certainly won’t be on their side as we head into week five of the competition, putting them in a worrying position.
“Wynne Evans has found himself at the centre of the latest Strictly controversy, with clips of him ‘messing around’ with professional partner Katya Jones going viral for all the wrong reasons.
“Although the pair have apologised and clarified that they were just ‘messing around,’ some fans remain unconvinced and uncomfortable with the situation, which is why he’s now priced at 7/2 to leave this weekend, and at an almost certain 1/8 to find himself in the dance-off.
“While being up against Paul Merson or Punam Krishan wouldn’t be much of a challenge for Wynne, this could be the start of his downfall on Strictly, leading to his exit in the coming weeks as the ‘easier’ competition gets knocked out.”
Addressing the incident on Monday’s It Takes Two however, both Jones and Wynne made clear the whole thing had been a misunderstanding.
Jones explained: “I actually can’t bear sitting here watching this man being portrayed as someone he’s not.”
The dancer continued: “In fact, it couldn’t be further away from the truth, so I have to make this absolutely clear that this whole incident with the hand and the high-five on Saturday night… It was an inside joke between Wynne and I.
“Was it a silly joke? Yes. Was it a bad joke? Yes…”