Ofcom have received over 11,000 complaints after Roxanne Pallett accused Ryan Thomas of being a "woman beater" on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ on Thursday night (30.08.18).
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actor was given a formal warning by Big Brother after Roxanne demanded to speak to a producer about something which made her feel "very uncomfortable" following a play fight between the pair, where she claimed she was "punched" by him "like a boxer would punch a bag".
A total of 11,215 complaints have been lodged so far, with an Ofcom spokesperson telling BANG Showbiz: "We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, before deciding whether or not to investigate."
Following the "incident", Roxanne entered the Diary Room, where she burst into tears and said: "A boy who’s punched me repeatedly, unprovoked, completely deliberate. He actually punched me like a boxer would punch a bag. We weren’t play fighting. There wasn’t banter, it wasn’t a joke, there was no exchange. I can’t believe you’re letting someone stay in that’s done that, it’s not on."
However, Big Brother assured the former ‘Emmerdale’ star they were taking her comments "very seriously" and later warned Ryan about his "unacceptable behaviour."
He added: "I think Roxanne knows there was no malice or anger."
‘Emmerdale’ star Danny Miller rushed to Ryan’s defence and slammed the actress, branding her a "horrible, attention-seeking little liar".
He wrote: "Roxanne’s a known, compulsive liar. Ryan wouldn’t harm a fly. Horrible, attention seeking little liar. Goes from being upset & in pain to dancing & drinking – to going bed, crying she can’t sleep in the same room as Ryan, to worrying about being nominated?You be the judge (sic)"
Whilst Ryan’s former ‘Corrie’ co-star Brooke Vincent tweeted: "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 (sic)"