1 week Ago By [email protected] (Shivon Watson)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett found herself at the centre of a media storm during her 2018 stint on Celebrity Big Brother .
Best known for playing Jo Stiles in Emmerdale , Roxanne became the talk of the town after a contentious episode with Coronation Street's Ryan Thomas on the reality show. The fallout from the incident caused significant upheaval in Roxanne's career and personal life, but she's been working hard to turn over a new leaf and leave the drama behind. With Celebrity Big Brother returning on April 7, let's delve into the details of Roxanne's notorious scandal.
Dubbed 'punchgate', the controversy erupted when Roxanne, participating in Celebrity Big Brother, accused Ryan Thomas of repeatedly punching her in the ribs as if she were a "punching bag" during what seemed to be a playful scuffle, reports Leeds Live . An emotional Roxanne recounted the event to her housemates, expressing severe pain from the encounter, which raised alarm among them. But the narrative took a sharp turn when broadcast footage showed a very different version of events, indicating that Ryan had not actually hit Roxanne, and their interaction was far less serious than she claimed.
Roxanne's claim sparked a media frenzy, despite a lack of evidence, and drew outrage from viewers and fellow housemates. The incident, known as "Punchgate," led to a significant backlash against Roxanne, with over 25,000 complaints to Ofcom and widespread public controversy. Roxanne eventually admitted to making a "horrible mistake" and issued a public apology for her false claims.
Ryan, visibly shaken by the accusations, went on to win the series. Following the Celebrity Big Brother scandal, Roxanne's career suffered greatly. She faced intense criticism, and her future in the entertainment industry seemed uncertain.
Roxanne revealed that the aftermath of the incident caused her severe emotional distress, even leading her to consider taking her own life. In an interview with Jeremy Vine, she stated, "I chose to go on that show, I put myself out there and I made a mistake in the public eye." The public backlash and difficulty finding new acting roles made it a tough time for Roxanne.
In a candid interview, she confessed to feeling "blacklisted" by the industry, which significantly damaged her professional reputation. In the years following the Celebrity Big Brother incident, Roxanne chose to step away from the public eye entirely. After moving to New York to escape the intense media scrutiny, Roxanne found solace and a fresh start.
It was there she met Jason Carrion, a firefighter and fellow Married at First Sight alum, and the pair quickly hit it off. In January 2020, they celebrated their love with a low-key wedding. The following year, the couple welcomed a bouncing baby boy into their lives.
Roxanne has been vocal about the immense happiness her family brings her and credits her relationship with Jason as a cornerstone in her emotional healing journey. In candid interviews, Roxanne has opened up about how stepping back from the limelight allowed her to adopt a healthier outlook on life. She's stressed the significance of maintaining privacy and striving for personal growth, not just for herself but also for her loved ones.
"I've learned the importance of privacy and have focused on becoming a better person, not just for myself but for my family," she revealed in a heartfelt 2021 interview. While Roxanne has kept a low profile in the media, she did stir up some curiosity when she didn't appear on Celebrity Coach Trip in 2019, despite participating in the filming. The TV star hasn't ruled out a return to acting, making it clear that she's waiting for the perfect role to make her comeback.
Opening up to The Sun, she shared her thoughts on possibly returning to acting, emphasising the importance of choosing roles that align with 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.
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