Wynne Evans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wynne Evans
BEM MStJ
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Evans on the cover of A Song in My Heart
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| Born |
James Wynne Evans
27 January 1972 Carmarthen, Wales
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| Alma mater | Guildhall School of Music and Drama |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Go Compare adverts, BBC Radio Wales |
| Spouse(s) |
Tanwen Evans
(m. 1999; div. 2016) |
| Children | 2 |
James Wynne Evans (born 27 January 1972) is a famous Welsh opera singer, TV presenter, and actor. He is well-known for playing Gio Compario in the Go.Compare insurance adverts on UK television.
Wynne Evans also hosts a popular radio show on BBC Radio Wales. He has also hosted shows on BBC Radio 2. He sang in the 25th anniversary show of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. He also sang "Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur" at the last game at White Hart Lane and again at the opening of the new Spurs stadium.
In 2023, Wynne won Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One. In 2024, he competed in Strictly Come Dancing with his dance partner, Katya Jones. He was eliminated in Blackpool.
Contents
Opera Singing Career
Wynne Evans was born in Carmarthen, Wales. He studied music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He also trained at the National Opera Studio.
In 2011, Wynne played the role of Ubaldo Piangi in the special 25th anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.
He has worked closely with the Welsh National Opera. There, he has performed many roles, including Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore and Rodolfo in La bohème.
In 2009, he performed for the first time at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He sang Vakula in Cherevichki. He returned in 2011 for the opera Anna Nicole.
Wynne has also sung for other major opera companies. These include Opera de Lyon, English National Opera, Opera North, and Scottish Opera. He has performed in many different operas, showing his wide range as a singer.
Concert Performances
As a concert singer, Wynne Evans has appeared in many important events. He sang in Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music at the opening night of the 2001 BBC Proms. He also performed Verdi's Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall.
He has recorded as a soloist on three CD albums called Here Come the Classics. These were with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also appeared many times on the BBC's Friday Night is Music Night.
Wynne also presents on BBC Radio Wales with his brother, Mark Evans. In 2008, he was given the MStJ award by Queen Elizabeth II.
Recording Albums
In 2010, Wynne Evans signed a deal to record six albums with Warner Music. His first album was called A Song in My Heart. It was released on 21 March 2011. This album quickly reached number one on the UK Classical Charts. His second album, named Wynne, came out in 2013.
Television and Radio Work
Go.Compare Adverts
Since August 2009, Wynne Evans has been the star of the adverts for the British insurance website Go.Compare. He plays a lively opera singer character called Gio Compario.
In 2012, Go.Compare started a new advert series called 'Saving the Nation'. Wynne Evans, as Gio Compario, was still the main character. In these adverts, other famous people like Jimmy Carr and Stephen Hawking tried to stop Gio Compario from singing.
Other TV Shows
In 2023, Wynne Evans won the eighteenth series of Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One. This show tests how well celebrities can cook.
In August 2024, it was announced that Wynne would be on the twenty-second series of Strictly Come Dancing. He danced with professional dancer Katya Jones. On 17 November 2024, Wynne and Katya were voted off the show. They were the eighth couple to leave the competition.
Presenting and Other Appearances
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In 2011, Wynne Evans started presenting TV shows. He presented a programme about the Eisteddfod for the BBC. He also had his own TV show on S4C.
Since 2012, Wynne has been a regular presenter on BBC Radio Wales. From October 2013, he hosted a weekly show called Wynne Evans' Big Welsh Weekend. From February 2016 to June 2023, he presented The Wynne Evans Show every weekday morning. The show moved to an earlier time slot in June 2023.
In May 2012, Wynne was one of eight celebrities who learned Welsh for a week. This was for the TV series cariad@iaith:love4language on S4C.
In 2012, Wynne presented The Guide to Opera on Classic FM. He became a regular presenter on Classic FM in 2013. He also appeared on the football show Soccer AM in 2012 and 2013.
In March 2015, Wynne appeared in the Sky1 comedy-drama Stella. He played a character who was running for council. In 2016, he hosted the BBC One Wales programme Search for A*.
Awards and Honours
Wynne Evans has received several awards and honours. In 2012, he became a member of the Gorsedd of the Bards of Wales. This is a special honour for people who have contributed to Welsh culture.
In 2013, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He was also made a Member of the Order of Saint John (MStJ) by the Queen in 2008.
In the 2022 Birthday Honours, Wynne was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). This was for his services to Music, Broadcasting, and Charity.
Personal Life
Wynne Evans is a trustee for the Elizabeth Evans Trust. This trust was set up in memory of his mother, Elizabeth Evans. She founded and ran the Carmarthen Youth Opera and the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen for 25 years. She passed away in 2004. Wynne and his two brothers then started the Trust.
A film was made about his mother's life called Save the Cinema. Wynne had a small role in the film. He also made a programme called Behind the Curtain for Sky Arts, which was about his own life. Wynne has two children and is divorced.
