Ryan Thomas’ family and Coronation Street co-stars have expressed their outrage after he was handed a formal warning on Celebrity Big Brother for “unacceptable” behaviour.
The ex-Corrie favourite was called to the diary room on Thursday after former Emmerdale star housemate Roxanne Pallett tearfully accused him of punching her and being ‘violent’.
Ryan said there had been “no malice or anger” in his actions.
Now, his loved ones have been taking to social media in droves to defend Ryan, calling him “kind and gentle” and expressing their disbelief over what happened.
Read more: CBB’s Ryan Thomas given formal warning over ‘punching’ Roxanne Pallett
Ryan’s girlfriend, Lucy Mecklenburgh, led the charge, posting on Instagram Stories: “I’m actually still in shock about last night. How can someone make a mockery of domestic violence like that?”
She also shared a photo of herself and Ryan kissing, captioning it: “The kindest person I know ❤️.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHu6JaFspP/?hl=en&taken-by=lucymeck1
Ryan’s twin brothers Adam and Scott Thomas were also outraged, with former Emmerdale star Adam writing: “When she still thinks she’s in soap, makes up her own storylines and still gets written out. See you soon.”
Adam’s wife Caroline was equally annoyed, agreeing with Lucy’s comments and also thanking fans for supporting Ryan.
She also urged fans to vote for Roxanne to be evicted next.
Love Island’s Scott added: “I have now seen it all ! Women like that are so dangerous! Trying to damage my brother’s reputation over what was blatantly some harmless play fighting.
“Be a drama queen all you want but don’t try and ruin someone in the process!”
I have now seen it all ! Women like that are so dangerous! Trying to damage my brothers reputation over what was blatantly some harmless play fighting. Be a drama queen all you want but don’t try and ruin someone in the process! Nasty that !
— Scott Thomas (@scottyspecial) August 30, 2018
Some of Ryan’s close friends and co-stars also shared their thoughts including Brooke Vincent, Sally Ann Matthews, Samia Longchambon and Georgia May Foote.
Brooke said she couldn’t believe what she was seeing, while Sally Ann shared a picture of herself and Ryan together, calling him “kind and gentle”.
I’ve just caught up on @CelebBigBrother I honestly can’t believe what I have watched. @ryanjamesthomas Is like a brother to me and to see someone try and manipulate a situation towards him is so cruel , unnecessary and dangerous on so many levels!! TEAM RYAN ALWAYS 💛✨🙏🏽
— Brooke Levi Vincent 🌻 (@BrookeLVincent) August 30, 2018
Here’s me (hungover) with the kindest, most gentle, loyal, fun-loving, smiliest, adorable man you could wish to meet @ryanjamesthomas x #CBB pic.twitter.com/HNB3hlQvhC
— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) August 30, 2018
Just been reading about what’s happened with #CBB .. mind blown by Roxanne’s over reaction! 🤯 @ryanjamesthomas deserves an apology from her big time #teamryan ❤️🙌🏼
— Samia Longchambon (@realsamia) August 31, 2018
I was shocked to see what i saw on cbb last night. @ryanjamesthomas is a lovely guy. It makes me sick people make up things like that. Its the reason people who really do go through it stay quiet 😢 She has no idea. What an awful person x
— Georgia May Foote (@georgiafoote) August 31, 2018
TOWIE’s Mario Falcone added: “I feel like Roxanne is being well over dramatic about this… Ryan would’ve done it in a playful manner.”
Other soap stars and celebrities such as Charley Webb, Hayley Tamaddon, Ricky Gervais, Vogue Williams, Danielle Lloyd and Denise Welch also tweeted their thoughts.
It’s worrying that someone is allowed to say that about someone and they’re taking it seriously. We’ve just watched it and nothing happened. Outrageous. #BB
— Charley Webb (@MissCharleyWebb) August 30, 2018
I’ve known @ryanjamesthomas quite a few years. He is genuinely one the kindest, warmest, funniest, happiest fellas I’ve met. And I’ve never come across a single person that doesn’t think the same.
We love you Ry! 💖— hayley tamaddon (@hayleysoraya) August 30, 2018
Dear #CBBUK, if Roxanne dies tonight of her injuries, it's on your head.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/VogueWilliams/status/1035285792590057473
OMG!!! Roxanne!!! She’s known Ryan for years! She used to go out with our friend!! I’m horrified!!! #cbb
— Denise Welch (@RealDeniseWelch) August 30, 2018
I don’t believe in any man raising a hand to any women but I do believe what Roxanne is doing in big brother is making a mockery of women who have actually been terrified in violent relationships. Me being one! Am sorry but this isn’t a game luv it’s a serious accusation
— Danielle Lloyd (@MissDLloyd) August 30, 2018
Meanwhile, Ryan’s official social media accounts put out a statement overnight on behalf of his family.
It read: “From the moment he walked in he’s just kept smiling and bringing the positive energy as much as possible! From his over the top reactions to his crazy laugh he’s been nothing but good fun!
“What happened tonight was ridiculously unfair and it’s actually scary to see how another individual can try and actively tarnish someone’s character! But thankfully the footage is there for everyone to see.
“Don’t let them dampen your light brother! Keep shining.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHm6LoBw8G/?taken-by=ryanthomas84
An update read: “Morning guys! Your support for Ryan will mean a lot to him…I just hope it doesn’t affect his morale in the house.”
Morning guys! Your support for Ryan will mean a lot to him…I just hope it doesn’t affect his morale in the house 😢❤️
— Ryan Thomas (@ryanjamesthomas) August 31, 2018
In a statement to ED!, Roxanne’s rep said: “Roxanne has no contact with the outside world to make her own statement, however we do know that Roxanne has worked closely with various domestic violence charities due to being a victim of domestic violence herself.
“She would be very upset to find out she may have caused offence to others who have been through the same. We can’t make any more comment at present until such time as Roxanne is out of the Big Brother house and is able to address this situation herself.”
The incident between Ryan and Roxanne was also an issue of discussion on Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
Roxanne’s friend, Paris Lees, was on the panel and said: “Roxy is a mate, I love her to bits. She is a very theatrical person. I came on tonight to defend her. I understand she’s annoyed people, people thinking she is false, but that’s who she is. She is authentically superficial, there is a sincerity to that.
“I was surprised she took it that way but I feel really uncomfortable just dismissing her because sometimes you playfight with someone and someone can hurt you more than they realise. She’s a tiny little thing who would fit in a shoe box. Maybe he caught her in the ribs.
“It’s not how I would have… but I’m trying to see the other side. Maybe she’s feeling a bit run down, a bit heightened, I don’t know…”
Fellow panellist Nicola McLean, however, disagreed, and said Roxanne was being “ridiculous”.
Paris replied: “I don’t think I’d react in the same way she reacted but I don’t necessarily agree she’s doing it for attention. I think for whatever reason she genuinely feels this way about the situation.”
Rylan Clark-Neal acknowledged it was a tricky situation as Roxanne wasn’t able to speak out and defend herself.
He added that Big Brother takes all housemates’ feelings into consideration and Roxanne is feeling “more comfortable” today.
In tonight's #CBB, Roxanne complained to Big Brother because in this scene Ryan was "violent" towards her.. OOOOOOKKKKKK
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/Qsf27TLc8A— Matt Rogers (@mattsyourlot) August 30, 2018
In tears in the diary room on Thursday night, Roxanne said she was in shock, adding: “I’m just a little bit in shock. I went from being upset to being angry, because a boy has punched me repeatedly unprovoked, he actually punched me like a boxer would punch a bag.
“And we weren’t play fighting, there was no banter, it wasn’t a joke, there was no exchange.”
Big Brother told Roxanne the footage was being reviewed and the matter was being “taken very seriously”.
“I can’t believe you’re letting someone stay who did that,” said Roxanne, bursting into tears. “It’s not okay.”
Roxanne asked to sleep in a separate bedroom because she was “suffering” and “didn’t feel comfortable” sleeping in the same room as Ryan.
“I am now suffering and having to alter my experience because somebody else was violent,” she said. “I can’t believe you’re letting him stay. It’s awful.”
After being called to the diary room, Ryan was told: “Before you entered the Big Brother house, rules regarding unacceptable behaviour were explained to you. You have broken this rule.
“At 3.55pm today, Big Brother noticed that whilst almost play fighting, you punched Roxanne in the ribs.
“This caused Roxanne to say ‘ow, that bloody hurt’. Whether you intended to hurt Roxanne or not is irrelevant. Do you understand what you did was unacceptable?”
Ryan said: “From your point of view, yes, but I think we both know, and Roxanne, that there was no malice or anger in anything I did.”
He apologised.
Big Brother said: “Big Brother is issuing you with a formal warning in regards physical contact in the house.
Read more: Roxanne Pallett divides CBB fans with “attention-seeking” behaviour
“Any repetition, and Big Brother may have no choice but to remove from the house.”
Celebrity Big Brother continues on Channel 5.
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