Roxanne Pallett ‘can understand’ why Meghan Markle left the UK

‘I’m so happy she’s had the inner strength,’ says Emmerdale actor

Olivia Petter
Tuesday 03 March 2020 04:16 EST
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Roxanne Pallett has said she can “understand” why the Duchess of Sussex wanted to leave the UK.

Speaking to Closer magazine, the Emmerdale actor said she felt ”hounded, ridiculed and vilified” after the Celebrity Big Brother “punchgate” controversy in 2018, when Pallett falsely accused fellow contestant Ryan Thomas of being violent with her.

At the time, Pallett was heavily criticised for making the allegation and later apologised.

After the furore died down, the 37-year-old spent a year travelling around America.

“I didn’t feel welcome in England. I was hounded, ridiculed and vilified for over a year,” she told the publication.

“I felt like the country was against me. For a long time, I felt exiled and was being told to disappear by online bullies.”

Thanks to the vitriol she received, Pallett says she can identify with Meghan Markle after she and the Duke of Sussex announced their decision to step down from the royal family in January to pursue a new life split between the UK and US.

“In a way, I can understand why Meghan left,” she said.

“I’m so happy she’s had the inner strength to say, ‘I’m not happy here, let’s make a change.

“I’d encourage anyone who is going through a tough time to have faith that things can turn around as they have for me.”

Pallett described some of the online bullying she had been subjected to, revealing trolls messaged her “urging” her to die and threatening to hurt her loved ones,

“Before, that would have floored me, but now I’m bulletproof,” she added.

“I used to feel sick or cry but now I feel sorry for those people who still target me. They must be struggling to carry that much hostility.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in