CBB's Roxanne Pallett breaks silence on Ryan Thomas 'punch' claims

She's given her first interview

Author: Alex Ross and Emma DoddsPublished 3rd Sep 2018

Former Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett was slammed by Celebrity Big Brother viewers last week after she accused Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas of physically abusing her during an incident in the house. After Big Brother bosses reviewed the footage, it was clear to see that this wasn't the case, with Roxanne later QUITTING the show in the wake of the incident.

BUT NOW, Roxanne has broken her silence on the matter during an interview on Jeremy Vine, admitting she was WRONG about the incident and also issuing an apology to Ryan, his family, friends and his fans.

Speaking to Jeremy about the 'punching' incident, Roxanne said, "At the time it hurt, but when I looked back on that footage as soon as I left the house the first thing I did was view that clip and I got it wrong.

"After it happened I felt like - I don't know how to explain it other than that my mind ran away with it. Only my family and friends can vouch for how I really am - everything in that house becomes so heighted; your insecurities are heightened, your sensitivity and all I can say - the only thing I can explain it with is that in the moment, it felt worse than it was. I can't prove a feeling. It was the word deliberately that I regret."

Roxanne then issued an apology to her former housemate, adding, "I massively apologise to not just Ryan - to his family, his friends, his fans. Every single person that watched that and completely justifiably saw an overreaction to what wasn't a malicious act. In that moment, because I am sensitive and I was emotional, I mistook what was a playful interaction and he did apologise and he did say that his ring got caught and it's the word deliberate that I regret. I doubted his intention and there was no malicious intention - that's what I apologise for because I shouldn't have questioned his motivation. I got it wrong."

She then said, "He couldn't disprove his intention and I couldn't prove a feeling but since I’ve been out the house, the first thing I did was watch the show and reflect in a normal environment - because the house isn’t a a normal environment - I wasn't thinking straight and that's something I need to go away and work on and become a better person.

"I understand that view and I agree fully with every single person who was outraged. I've actually been a victim of domestic violence previously, I've worked with women because of my own experience. My reaction was a tell-tale sign that I have been a victim and in my life I have become conditioned and I'm devastated and mortified to think that even one person thinks that I’ve discredited or undermined abuse.

"It felt foreign to me but all I can say is that in that moment I absolutely was out of order and I regret it massively."

Former singer Jamelia who was also on the panel added, "I hadn't watched it but I went back and watched the clip and I have to say that it was triggering for me. I've been a victim and this might sound like a horrible thing to say but in this instance I felt that you were the perpetrator. It's difficult to see you in that role but I think it's important that you understand how that behaviour was triggering.

"Her behaviour towards Ryan to discredit him, but I saw what you did to him as an act of violence, and I can't imagine being in your shoes. What I would like to know is that you will get help and you need help to get through your emotions and I actually made my daughters watch the episodes as awful as that sounds, as it was an example of what not to do. I want you to know that I do actually think that good can come of this, I admire and respect your honesty and I think it’s important you have apologised and try and get help."

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CBB's Roxanne Pallett breaks silence on Ryan Thomas 'punch' claims
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Since the incident occurred over the weekend, Roxanne has received massive backlash from viewers and her former co-stars.

Speaking about the online comments, Roxy said, "I chose to be here today and I was advised not to. I’m not getting paid to do this - in fact it's been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. It’s affected my family, friends - and people have detached themselves from me. This is my reality now and I’m here today to acknowledge a mistake.

"I see the importance of speaking out as and when you need to but I also see the confusion attached to people overreacting and it does discredit and undermine the people who have been through it and I am one of those people. I've known people who have been falsely accused of things and I chose not to speak out. In my early teen years I used to bottle things up and I’ve now gone the other way - my mind ran away with me."

The 35-year-old then issued another apology for her actions, adding, "I can't apologise enough to Ryan and to anybody attached to him, but also to every single person who watched it. I don't think I realise how sensitive I was because we're all used to the people around us, my family, friends and fiancé are all used to how sensitive I am, but because I was taken out of that environment.

"Those people in that house didn't know what I’d been through, they didn't know my Richter Scale so they weren't prepared. Viewers - rightly so - accused me of being dramatic and overreacting and almost discrediting Ryan and I agree 100%."

Celebrity Big Brother continues on Channel 5 every night at 9pm.

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