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STRICTLY professional Katya Jones and dance partner Wynne Evans have insisted that his wandering hand was merely a stunt that backfired, but now viewers are calling for BBC show’s bosses to intervene.

During the live show on Saturday, Katya was caught on camera pushing Wynne’s hand away from the curve of her waist, in a move that was immediately pounced on by the viewers.

Wynne had his hand on the intimate area of Katya's waist
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Wynne had his hand on the intimate area of Katya's waistCredit: BBC
Millions watched as she moved his hand further away from the zone of intimacy
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Millions watched as she moved his hand further away from the zone of intimacyCredit: BBC

The Strictly pro issued an apology, saying that the exchange was all part of a playful joke, but the fans have been left unconvinced as social media was alight with outrage.

One person said: “Ugh that makes me feel sick, poor Katya. They need to be protecting the pros, just as much as the celebs.”

Another commented: “God she was obviously putting up with a lot of grim stuff from him.”

Meanwhile another raged: “If that’s what he’s willing to do on live television in front of millions, the what the hell is he doing in private? The BBC need to talk to Katya and investigate this immediately.”

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And another commentator added: “That roving hand was gross. Poor Katya, I hope she's okay. Given that they had to put out that weird statement about how it was an hilarious joke (?!) makes me think she's not getting any support.”

During Saturday’s show the pair were standing with the rest of the group during host Claudia Winkleman’s piece to camera when opera singer Wynne, 52, pushed his hand around Katya’s, 35, waist, who immediately and visibly wriggled free.

The duo then immediately took to social media to clear the air as they branded the gesture a ‘joke.”

Speaking from backstage, Katya said: "Hi everyone, it's Wynne and Katya here, we just wanted to say we were messing around in the clauditorium on Saturday night and we just want to say sorry."

She added: "It was a silly joke."

While Wynne echoed : "Yeah, sorry."

But the cringeworthy moment caught on live TV,  sparked speculation amongst fans, who were concerned about her unusual reaction.

One person wrote: “Anyone else see Katya push Wynne's hand away.”

A second said: “Katya moving Wynne’s hand away then….

While a third added: “Did anybody else just see Katya push away Wynne's hand - she did that awkward smile.”

Others noticed that Katya was standing nowhere near Wynne when the cameras appeared once again.

Meanwhile Wynne has since confessed to feeling heartbroken about his antics on the show, as he confesed to the listeners of BBC Radio Wales, that their joke had gone badly wrong.

He said: "I'm absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day."

"We've got a brilliant friendship, an absolutely tight friendship, and I'm sorry if anybody was offended by it, but it was a joke. And that's all there is. There is no real story, really."

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So far Wynne and Katya have been competition favourites after garnering praise from the judges for their tango to ABBA’s Money, Money,Money.

But whether the voters will still be on side after last Saturdays incident, is anyone’s guess.

The pair had performed a dramatic tango to ABBA song Money Money Money
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The pair had performed a dramatic tango to ABBA song Money Money MoneyCredit: PA
They were praised by the judges for their strong characterization of the tango
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They were praised by the judges for their strong characterization of the tangoCredit: PA
But their triumph was overshadowed by the so called joke, now being dubbed 'handgate."
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But their triumph was overshadowed by the so called joke, now being dubbed 'handgate."Credit: BBC
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