WYNNE Evans has launched a dramatic fightback against BBC bosses who he fears are trying to scapegoat him over their past mistakes.

The Go Compare star, 53, has submitted a dossier of evidence to BBC bosses which friends believe clears him of lewd behaviour claims on Strictly. A pal said it “changes everything”.

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It includes video and screenshots which the opera singer’s pals insist prove he is not guilty of making an inappropriate sexual comment.

Investigators have also been sent a video - which the BBC itself suppressed - where dance partner Katya Jones, 35, explicitly clears him over the “gropegate” scandal.

Friends of the Welshman — who was suspended from the Strictly live tour — believe the Beeb have an agenda against him.

By contrast, they said Go Compare - whose adverts propelled him to fame - is standing by him.

It comes after the BBC battled a barrage of bad publicity over pro dancer Giovanni Pernice’s alleged bad behaviour on the ballroom dance show the series before.

Last night a friend said: “These past few months have been absolutely torrid for Wynne. He has had his name dragged through the mud.

“He feels he’s been thrown under a bus and left to fend for himself.”

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However, they insisted there is “a very different context” to the original leaked video, in which Wynne was overheard saying “spitroast” at the live tour launch, apparently about Strictly dancer Janette Manrara.

The friend went on: “Wynne’s team have had the clip sent off to a cyber forensics team which has come back with a word nobody had previously picked up on before; they believe it changes everything.

“In it, he can be heard saying ‘old spitroast boy’ to Jamie Borthwick. It may seem like semantics, but the ‘old’ and the ‘boy’ proves he was addressing Jamie and NOT making a crude sexual remark about Janette, as originally thought.

“This is apparently a reference to Jamie putting his legs above his head, and looking like a spitroast chicken. It’s as simple as that.

“He also has supportive messages from various pros including both Janette and Aljaz Skorjanec, her husband, saying they back him 100 per cent.”

In one message seen by The Sun, Janette expressed concern for his wellbeing, saying: “Wynne please know you DO NOT need to worry about me for a second.

"Look after yourself and try to focus on the mind staying calm. Deep breaths and one hour at a time.”

She sent it on January 25, a day before the original “spitroast” story broke. It was after the BBC had been approached for comment, and those involved were made aware.

Wynne first came under pressure last year after footage showed him putting his hands around Katya’s waist on Strictly before she batted them away.

He then tried to high-10 her only for her to snub him. It was something the pair planned in advance — but the fallout became known as “gropegate”.

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Crucially, the pair filmed a video straight away explaining the joke, and apologising for any confusion, which they then planned to push out on Instagram.

However, sources claim BBC bosses would not let Wynne post it.

In the video, which has been seen by The Sun, the duo say: “We felt the need to clarify something.”

Katya adds: “We find it quite fascinating how people take time to look into such detail, every gesture and every look. So tonight we said we’d mess around.”

Wynne continues: “We said, ‘Ah, I’ll put my hand on your waist and you pretend to move it away.’ And now everybody thinks I’m a weirdo! But really, I promise you I’m not!”

Another friend said BBC bosses got wind of the video and instructed Wynne not to post it - something they now apparently realise was a huge mistake.

His friends have had to rally around him because he’s just a normal bloke, one who loves and respects women.

Wynne's friend

They went on: “If Katya and Wynne had been allowed to clear it up immediately it would have just gone away. Instead, people have been left to think Wynne is some sort of pervert.

"His friends have had to rally around him because he’s just a normal bloke, one who loves and respects women, and doesn’t want to lose his entire career - one he’s worked so hard for - over a stupid misunderstanding.”

It is understood Wynne is prepared to speak out after supportive comments from Katya in an interview with The Sun on Sunday’s Fabulous mag last weekend.

She called him “incredible” and said he had “never made me feel uncomfortable in any way”.

Meanwhile, Wynne’s legal team are understood to be bemused by the BBC’s handling of the scandal.

They claim that when Wynne asked for evidence against him, they simply emailed him a link to the original spitroast story in a newspaper.

Exemplary record

The team insist Wynne had an exemplary record prior to this, and has had no complaints - formal or otherwise — against him.

It comes a year after Strictly pro Giovanni quit following complaints from actress partner Amanda Abbington and others. It led to the show’s first external investigation.

People are scared to make jokes in case they get cancelled. At this rate, there will be no blokes left on telly in five years’ time

A BBC insider

The BBC is expected to make a decision on Wynne this month.

However, a corporation insider said: “It’s a huge problem. If they fire a man for making an off-the-cuff joke, where does it end?

“They are making a rod for their own backs, and pernicious cancel ­culture - if they keep pursuing it - will lead to no one’s job being safe.

“People are scared to make jokes in case they get cancelled. At this rate, there will be no blokes left on telly in five years’ time.”

Last night Wynne and the BBC declined to comment.