Mental health charity calls on Celebrity Big Brother bosses to use ‘robust’ contestants in wake of Roxanne Pallett ‘punch’ row

The former Emmerdale actress accused Ryan Thomas of boxing her like a punch bag 
Upset: Roxanne Pallett was left in tears over Ryan Thomas
Channel 5
Emma Powell31 August 2018

A leading mental health charity has called on Celebrity Big Brother bosses to do more to protect contestants after Roxanne Pallett sparked concerns.

The former Emmerdale actress, 35, broke down in tears in the Diary Room as she accused Ryan Thomas of being a “woman beater” who “punched” her in an “unprovoked” attack on Thursday's show.

Thomas received a formal warning and apologised, but fans including his girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh called for her to be removed, claiming she is not “mentally fit to be in the house”.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of SANE, said show bosses need to ensure they don’t “send the message that watching mental distress is harmless fun”.

In a statement to Standard Online she said: “We do not wish to deprive anyone of their opportunity to appear on shows such as this, but the producers do have a responsibility to protect the mental health of contestants.

“Placing people in unduly stressful situations for public entertainment risks undermining their mental health, and sends the message that watching mental distress is harmless fun. It is both dangerous and unjustifiable.”

Apology: Ryan Thomas received a formal warning from Big Brother
Channel 5

She finished: “At an absolute minimum, producers should only consider using those robust enough to cope with the exposure, the exploitation and the inevitable let down that these shows demand.”

Evening Standard Online has contacted Channel 5 for comment.

Fans called for Pallett to be removed from the house including former contestant and mental health campaigner Denise Welch who tweeted: “I truly believe Roxanne needs to be removed from #cbb. She’s clearly not well and this is an outrageous slander on Ryan’s character. Appalling.”

One viewer posted: “Please remove Roxanne Pallet she is clearly not in correct mental state! She needs out! Poor Ryan Thomas this is not something to call entertainment.”

Another wrote: “My wife is a mental health nurse and is convinced Roxanne has some sort of personality disorder judging by her behaviour and actions in the CBB house! Where is the behind the scenes psychological help?”

Celebrity Big Brother 2018 launch night

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Celebrity Big Brother is on Channel 5, tonight at 9pm

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