Ryan Thomas has said he’ll never forget what Roxanne Pallett has put him though in the Celebrity Big Brother.
The former Coronation Street star described Roxanne’s actions as “venom” after she accused him of ‘punching’ her during what appeared to be a play fight.
A stunned Ryan, who apologised and said there was no malice or anger intended in his actions, was given a formal warning by Big Brother.
Roxanne, who complained of being in pain and feeling uncomfortable around Ryan, then chose to quit Big Brother.
Read more: Secrets behind Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas’ ‘decade-long feud’
In a conversation with housemate Kirstie Alley, a visibly emotional Ryan, 34, said: “Apparently she said it hurt which was maybe literally like the brush of a ring on her, something really minor.
“I said, oh sorry about that. I actually apologised to her. But she’s tried to somehow sabotage people’s opinions of me in here and on the outside world just so she can succeed in here.
“It’s venom, venom, Kirstie, man. I know I don’t deserve that. I swear to you Wait until you watch it back, you’ll go seriously, what? I was smiling and laughing when I did that.”
After the housemates were informed of Roxanne’s exit, Ryan told the diary room: “I feel as if I understand why Roxanne would not want to be here but I know I wouldn’t make her time in here any more awkward than it needed to be.
“I don’t know what to say, Big Brother. I don’t know how things are perceived in the outside world, but I don’t think it’s acceptable behaviour to treat your housemates the way she did.
“But at the same time, it’s time to move on. It’s the next chapter. I’ll never forget what she’s done to me. I’ll never, ever understand it but I want to move forward and enjoy the rest of my time in here with everyone else.”
Roxanne will break her silence on the incident in an interview with Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 on Monday morning and return to CBB on Monday evening to speak with Emma Willis.
Her rep said at the weekend: “Roxanne decided to leave the CBB house late last night after deliberating for two days with some sensitive issues she felt strongly about.
“She has now been reunited with her fiancé and family and thanks everyone for their support during her time in the show.”
Meanwhile, Ryan’s girlfriend, Lucy Mecklenburgh, will appear on The Victoria Derbyshire Show on BBC News on Monday morning for her first television and radio interview.
Ryan was left in tears after Roxanne’s claim, saying he’d considered quitting the show himself as he “felt really low”.
Media regulator Ofcom received 11,215 complaints following the episode.
Roxanne had complained to Big Brother following the exchange with Ryan, saying: “I went from being upset to being angry, because a boy has punched me repeatedly, unprovoked.
“And we weren’t play fighting, there was no banter, it wasn’t a joke.”
She requested to sleep in a separate bedroom that night, saying the next day: “I don’t feel very comfortable or happy today at the moment because I slept separately last night because I felt uncomfortable because Ryan assaulted me.
“And he’s still here and he just smirked at me as I walked past.”
Roxanne also told housemate Ben Jardine: “Ryan punched me. It wasn’t play fighting. He punched me repeatedly in the ribs, there. I didn’t say anything but I was in so much pain all night.
“It was intentional to hurt me. He went for it. He did it with his fist and it was so sore and so aggressive and I walked off and for the next hour I was in a blur of confusion.”
The whole incident caused mass outrage among Ryan’s loved ones, co-stars and fans, with many taking to social media to defend him.
Even Big Brother’s Bit On The Side spinoff show host Rylan Clark-Neal waded in, saying producers should show housemates the ‘punch’ footage.
Read more: Adam Thomas hits out at CBB for using brother Ryan to push up ratings
He tweeted: “I’m gonna get in trouble for this , I’m all for no interfering no outside contact etc …. BUT SHOW THE HOUSEMATES THE FOOTAGE. There I’ve said it. Praying they will.
He added: “I’ve never been more uncomfortable watching an episode.”
Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
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