Wynne Evans shows off terrifying toll of BBC Strictly preparations: 'Thought I'd have a heart attack!'
Wynne Evans detailed how he thought he was going to have a 'heart attack' from training
Instagram/BBC
Strictly Come Dancing has now announced the full line-up for its 2024 show later this year, and among them is Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans.
The 52-year-old is best known for starring in the iconic Go Compare adverts, and assured fans he would "give it his all" in the BBC series.
He remarked during the announcement of his sign-up: "I am honestly still pinching myself, a portly balding opera singer, me, taking part in Strictly Come Dancing?!
"I'm not entirely sure how I'll get along, if all else fails I'll just have to learn the art of distraction. What I do know is I will give it my all and aim to make Wales proud.
"I'm definitely going to try and combine my love of Opera into one of my routines. Plus, after winning Celebrity MasterChef last year, maybe the route to the judges’ hearts will be through their stomachs!"
However, it seems the Welsh-born singer is already struggling with the show's strict training regime, and as he took to Instagram on Tuesday he explained he thought he was going to have "a heart attack".
Filming a video of himself, he appeared tired as he told fans: "So, trying to get my stamina up for Strictly. Running, as per usual thought I was going to have a heart attack. Boiling hot today!
"Did a Susie Chan class - legend. Cheers Susie, this is what a fat man doing one of your classes looks like!"
He penned in the caption: "Running as per usual legendary @susie_chan_ class". While many recognise Evans as the memorable Go Compare character from the adverts, he has also enjoyed two number one classical music albums throughout his 25-year career.
Evans has also given 200 performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The father-of-two currently has a daily radio show on BBC Radio Wales and has previously had radio shows on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
Wynne Evans has talked about preparing for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
BBC
Fans were quick to show their support to the singer, with many flocking to the comments to encourage him to believe in himself.
Endurance runner Susia Chan herself penned: "You look like a total 11/10 to me! proper dedicated in this heat."
Someone else wrote: "Give us a shout if you need a training partner @wynneevans plenty of mountains / walks to hit to get the levels fitness up. You’re going to smash strictly, can’t wait."
A third commented: "Stop knocking yourself....your doing great. As long as your mind is as happy as your body then it's a win win no matter your size. Once you start dancing it will fall off anyway. Here in your corner lovely always.....you got this and we got you xxxxxx."
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Someone else added: "well done you," while another enthused: "You will be amazing."
The tough nature of the behind-the-scenes training for Strictly Come Dancing has been widely reported on recently, with some controversial claims making headlines all year.
It began when last year's contestant Amanda Abbington, 52, made a complaint about her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, after quitting the series early.
Since then, a probe into the series was launched and Pernice soon left the show. The findings also saw fellow professional Graziano Di Prima, 30, sacked from the series following "misconduct" regarding his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott.