Ryan Thomas, the former Coronation Street star, has finally broken his silence on the most controversial moment in the history of Big Brother, the reality TV show. In 2018, Ryan, now 39, emerged as the winner of Celebrity Big Brother, but his time in the house could have taken a very different turn. The incident involved fellow contestant Roxanne Pallett, a former actress, who accused Ryan of physical assault, resulting in a staggering 27,000 complaints to Ofcom.
Accusations and Fallout
The incident sparked a nationwide debate and left Ryan Thomas fighting to clear his name. Roxanne's accusation led to an investigation, and Ryan was subjected to intense scrutiny by both the public and the media. However, Ryan always maintained his innocence and insisted that he had not been violent towards Roxanne. In a recent episode of his podcast, "Mancs on the Mic," Ryan expressed his frustration, accusing Big Brother of treating the situation like a "science project." He felt that the show's producers allowed the drama to unfold without intervening, leaving him to face the consequences.
A Shocking Revelation
Ryan also revealed the moment he realized something was not right. He recalled sitting on the bed with other contestants, including Kirsty Alley, Sally Morgan, Nick Leeson, and Dan Osborne. Ryan described feeling left out when someone entered the room and told him that Roxanne didn't want to stay in the house because of him. This revelation came as a shock to Ryan, who had previously been warned by Big Brother for his behavior. The actor expressed his disbelief and confusion, as he had no idea what had transpired.
The Nation's Bafflement
Ryan's brother Scott, who was also a contestant on the show, shared his perspective and highlighted the bafflement of the nation. Scott pointed out that Big Brother had access to the footage and could have easily reviewed it to determine the truth. However, they continued to treat Ryan as if he had done something wrong, further adding to the confusion and frustration.
The Truth Prevails
Roxanne had initially accused Ryan of deliberately punching her during a playful moment. However, when she requested to speak to Big Brother in the Diary Room, she painted a completely different picture of the incident. Ryan's relief was palpable when, during a live eviction, the crowd chanted "get Roxanne out," indicating that they knew the truth. It was a moment of vindication for Ryan, who had endured a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the ordeal.
Record-Breaking Complaints
Roxanne's false accusation against Ryan became the most complained-about TV moment of 2018, with a staggering 27,000 complaints filed with Ofcom. The incident sparked a nationwide conversation about the impact of false allegations and the responsibility of reality TV shows in managing such situations.
Today, Ryan is engaged to former Towie star Lucy Mecklenburgh, and the couple shares two children, Roman and Lilah.
