Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett's life following Celebrity Big Brother scandal and quitting showbiz
Roxanne Pallett's life was turned upside down following the 'punchgate' scandal on Celebrity Big Brother
In the 2018 edition of Celebrity Big Brother, former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett found herself at the centre of a media storm for all the wrong reasons.
Best remembered as Jo Stiles from Emmerdale, Roxanne was splashed across the front pages following an infamous incident involving fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant and Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas.
Roxanne experienced significant personal and professional hurdles that she has been working to overcome as she seeks to put the controversy behind her.
With the launch of a new series of Celebrity Big Brother on April 7, let's take a moment to delve into the debacle that bewildered viewers nationwide.
Punchgate
Tagged by the media as 'punchgate', this scandal saw Roxanne Pallett creating waves in August 2018 when she accused Ryan Thomas of assaulting her during a play fight, alleging he pummelled her multiple times in the ribs, likening it to a boxer working over a "punching bag", reports Leeds Live.
Roxanne, visibly distraught, relayed her pain to her housemates, spawning widespread concern.
Nevertheless, the narrative took a dramatic turn when showrunners aired the footage of the alleged attack.
The broadcast clips showed a scenario much more benign than what Roxanne had described, indicating that Ryan did not actually hit Roxanne and exposing the altercation as far less severe than what was claimed.
Despite clear evidence proving it false, the incident garnered substantial media coverage, igniting public fury among viewers and fellow contestants.
The event, notoriously known as "Punchgate," triggered a severe backlash against Roxanne. Over 25,000 complaints were lodged with Ofcom, and the situation sparked heated public debate.
Roxanne eventually conceded that she had made a grave error and offered a public apology for her baseless allegations. Ryan, visibly shaken by the accusations, went on to claim the series title.
Setbacks
Roxanne's personal and professional life suffered significantly after the Celebrity Big Brother scandal. Her actions drew widespread criticism, casting doubt on her future in the entertainment industry.
She disclosed that the repercussions of the incident had taken a devastating toll on her mental health, even driving her to consider ending her life.
In an interview with 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 outcry and the struggle to secure new acting roles made this a trying period for Roxanne. In a candid conversation, she admitted feeling "blacklisted" by the industry, which severely damaged her professional standing.
Retreating from the public eye
In the years following the Celebrity Big Brother incident, Roxanne opted to retreat from the public eye entirely. She made the move to New York, a decision that helped her escape the intense media scrutiny and concentrate on rebuilding her life away from the public eye.
It was stateside where Roxanne encountered Jason Carrion, a firefighter who had featured on Married at First Sight. The pair quickly hit it off, and in January 2020, they exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony.
The following year, in 2021, the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, a baby boy. Roxanne has since shared how her family is her greatest source of happiness and has acknowledged the pivotal role her union with Jason has played in her emotional healing.
In various interviews, she's discussed the benefits of living outside the glare of the media, which has allowed her to adopt a healthier outlook on life. She's also highlighted the significance of maintaining balance and tranquillity away from the frenetic pace of celebrity.
"I've learned the importance of privacy and have focused on becoming a better person, not just for myself but for my family," Roxanne revealed in a candid 2021 interview.
Looking ahead
While Roxanne has mostly stayed out of the limelight, she was expected to appear in the 2019 edition of Celebrity Coach Trip, a reality TV series that involves celebrities travelling together.
However, viewers were shocked when she didn't feature on the show, despite participating in the filming before it was broadcast.
The television star has also shown interest in returning to acting, insisting that she would consider returning if the perfect role came along.
In a candid chat with The Sun, she disclosed her contemplation about returning to acting, emphasising the importance of choosing roles that 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."