Roxanne Pallett says she came close to suicide after Ryan Thomas 'punch-gate' row

Roxanne Pallett has admitted she considered taking her own life over the Ryan Thomas 'punch-gate' row.

The former Emmerdale actress became a public hate figure after accusing Ryan of 'deliberately' punching her on Celebrity Big Brother - causing the Corrie actor to break down in tears.

Making her TV comeback on The Jeremy Vine Show, Roxanne described how it felt being on the receiving end of a barrage of abuse after leaving the house.

Asked by the host if she considered suicide, Roxanne replied: “Yes.”

Roxanne made a humble return to the Vine Show on Friday, where she had first apologised for lying to the nation last September.

After 12 months out of the spotlight, Roxanne's TV return kicked off with footage taken from last year's media storm.

"Looking back at those clips it's awful. It was a really awful time for a lot of people," said Roxanne, shaking her head in horror.

"It's only now that I watch those back that I realise how far I've come and what a bad place I was in."

Roxanne said that in her time out of the public eye she has 'educated' herself so she'll never have to be in a similar situation again.

"I never want be that person again. I never want to react like a situation like that," she told Vine.

"If I can do anything now it's to make sure no one else does makes the same mistakes I have. Because it can happen to anyone, and it happened to me," she added.

Jeremy said the criticism of her time on the Channel 5 reality show, which has now been axed, must continue to haunt her.

But Roxanne said she got what she deserved.

"I chose to go on on that show. I put myself out there and I made a mistake in the public eye. I don't blame people for saying what they felt," she added.

The nation had been outraged by Roxanne's lies on the show after she wrongly labelled Ryan a 'woman beater' after their playfight.

Ofcom was flooded with more than 25,000 complaints over the incident that saw Ryan emotionally destroyed

In her year away, Roxanne split from her fiancé and is now dating new man Jason Carrion.

If you're struggling and need to talk, you can contact the Samaritans for free at any time of the day or night on 116 123, or email Jo@samaritans.org.