Roxanne’s ‘mockery of victims of abuse’

CELEBRITY Big Brother contestant Roxanne Pallett will be “very upset” when she learns the public is accusing her of belittling domestic violence.

A staggering 11,215 viewers called media watchdog Ofcom to demand the ex-soap star be kicked out of the house for “making a mockery of abuse victims” when she branded fellow contestant Ryan Thomas, both pictured, a “woman beater” over his “playful antics” with her on the Channel 5 show.

Roxanne’s team hit back telling Day & Night: “We do know that Roxanne has worked closely with domestic violence charities due to being a victim of domestic violence. She would be very upset to find out she may have caused offence to others who have been through the same.”

On Thursday Roxanne, 35, accused the Corrie star of repeatedly punching her in the ribs unprovoked but footage of the incident appears to show it was just play-fighting.

The Emmerdale actress, who slept in a separate bedroom fearing for her safety, also demanded that Ryan be removed.

Big Brother gave him a formal warning and on Friday’s show a sobbing Roxanne is shown asking producers: “Why is he allowed to stay? It’s not OK.” Eagle-eyed viewers also noticed that she appeared to be holding the right side of her body, despite touching the left side during the incident.

Roxanne – who has been backed by leading domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid which says that if you have suffered abuse in the past, even playfighting can be a fright – has spoken about abuse by an ex-boyfriend.

Meanwhile, a friend of Ryan tells us: “The family are devastated by this. We just thank God there are cameras to show what really happened. If they weren’t and she accused him of something like this with no video recording, she may have been believed.”