1 week Ago By Shivon Watson
Former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett found herself at the centre of a media storm during the 2018 series of Celebrity Big Brother , for reasons far from ideal. Best known for portraying Jo Stiles in Emmerdale , Roxanne became the subject of intense scrutiny after a disputed episode with fellow housemate and Coronation Street actor, Ryan Thomas. Following the fallout, Roxanne faced significant professional and personal challenges, leading her to work on turning her life around and putting the controversy behind her.
With the new series of Celebrity Big Brother debuting on April 7, we delve into the scandal that overshadowed Roxanne's career. Back in August 2018, Roxanne Pallett found herself embroiled in one of the show's most notorious incidents. On one particular episode, she accused Ryan Thomas of physical assault, alleging he pummeled her in the ribs multiple times while engaging in what seemed to be playful wrestling, likening it to a boxer hitting a "punching bag".
Visibly distressed, Roxanne confided in her housemates about the ordeal, expressing that she was in severe pain post-encounter with Ryan, prompting alarm within the house. The situation took a dramatic turn as soon-circulating camera footage painted a drastically different picture. It became clear from the broadcasted footage that Ryan had not assaulted Roxanne; instead, their interaction was evidently more jovial than her prior claims suggested.
In spite of the overwhelming evidence contradicting her claim, Roxanne's allegations garnered considerable media attention, provoking outrage from viewers and her fellow contestants. The incident, which became notorious as "Punchgate," triggered a substantial backlash against Roxanne. More than 25,000 viewers lodged complaints with Ofcom, and the situation ignited intense public debate.
Eventually, Roxanne conceded she had made a "horrible mistake" and extended a public apology for her baseless accusations. Ryan, visibly shaken by the claims, later won the series. .
In the wake of the Celebrity Big Brother scandal, Roxanne's career suffered significantly. Her actions drew widespread condemnation, casting doubt over her prospects in the entertainment industry. She disclosed that the aftermath of the incident had caused severe emotional distress, leading her to contemplate taking her own life.
In an interview with presenter Jeremy Vine, she acknowledged: "I chose to go on that show, I put myself out there and I made a mistake in the public eye." The public backlash, coupled with the difficulty in securing new acting roles, made this a particularly challenging time for Roxanne. In a candid conversation, she admitted to feeling "blacklisted" by the industry, with her professional reputation taking a considerable hit.
In the years following the Celebrity Big Brother incident, Roxanne chose to recede from the public eye entirely. She moved to New York, a decision that helped her escape intense media scrutiny and concentrate on rebuilding her life away from the public eye. In the States, Roxanne met Jason Carrion, a firefighter who was featured on Married at First Sight.
Their connection was instant, and they married in January 2020 in an understated ceremony. The couple became parents to a son in 2021. Roxanne has openly shared the immense happiness her family brings and how pivotal her union with Jason has been for her emotional healing.
Roxanne has discussed the benefits of living away from the relentless media attention, gaining a better outlook on life. She has highlighted the value of privacy and equilibrium, stating: "I've learned the importance of privacy and have focused on becoming a better person, not just for myself but for my family," in a 2021 interview. Though she has kept a low profile, Roxanne was due to appear in the 2019 series of Celebrity Coach Trip, travelling with other celebrities on the reality TV show.
However, viewers were shocked when she didn't feature on the actual broadcast, despite participating in filming before the show aired. Furthermore, the television star has mentioned a possible return to acting, with the caveat that it would have to be the perfect project for her to make a comeback. In a heartfelt chat with The Sun, the former actress disclosed her contemplation about returning to the acting scene, emphasising her desire for roles that would contribute to her personal development and joy.
She explained: "I don't want to rush back into anything that isn't right for me. I've learned so much about myself and what I truly want in life, and I want to make sure whatever I do next aligns with that.".
