Katya Jones and Wynne Evans' friendship is very real – .
The dancer has since dismissed claims she felt uncomfortable by actions and stated it was an inside joke that had gone wrong. In our half an hour chat there was not a glimmer of tension or awkwardness. There were lots of laughs, gentle ribbing from each side and clear respect that went both ways. At one point Katya showed me her phone screensaver - a picture of her with a Go Compare-style moustache superimposed on her upper lip. I took it as a further sign that a strong friendship had formed. Someone who felt uncomfortable with her celeb partner wouldn't do that, surely?
opened up about being welcomed into Wynne's family, having met his girlfriend and his children. She had even told him off for not cooking for her, despite his MasterChef victory. Although when their schedule eases, they are planning to make dinner plans with one another.
Katya sang her student's praises - saying Wynne had the ability to add special touches to any routine she came up with and that delighted her. What came across loud and clear in our chat was how seriously Katya takes the competition. Dubbed the bossiest pro, it's a tag she brings up herself but one she doesn't agree with. Wynne describes her as direct - but also a big softie. While Katya doesn't take a day off and feels sleep is unnecessary, Wynne refuses to call Strictly a competition and instead sees it as an entertainment show. If there were any backstage drama, maybe that's where the two sides don't see eye to eye?
Or could it be that the method acting for their moody tango spilled over? Wynne admitted to me he was finding it tough getting into character when they danced to ABBA's Money Money Money. He had to be arrogant, have an attitude. Katya said he kept apologising thinking he was offending her. It was obvious playing Mr Nasty didn't come naturally to him.
The whole sorry saga has left Wynne and Katya heartbroken. The pair have brushed the incident off as an inside joke gone wrong. The comedy we've come to love them for certainly fell flat on this occasion but it didn't deserve the outcry it has received. Whether others agree, time will tell. Wynne's odds to get voted off this weekend have taken a tumble so it could mean we see him exit the show earlier than expected. For a man who just wants to entertain, I really hope this isn't the way he bows out.
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