Emma Willis praised for stern Roxanne Pallett interview: ‘People aren’t buying your apology’

'Can you imagine if those cameras hadn't been there? You would have ruined somebody'

Emma Willis has won praise for her interview with ex-Celebrity Big Brother contestant Roxanne Pallett about the "worrying" punch row which saw her quit the show.

Last week, viewers were left confused as Pallett claimed she had been “punched repeatedly, unprovoked and completely deliberately” by fellow contestant Ryan Thomas after he accidentally hit her too hard during a play-fight.

Pallet later asked to sleep in a separate room because she no longer felt “safe” in the shared bedroom. After calling for Thomas to be removed from the Channel 5 show, Pallett quit the series and has faced a huge backlash.

The former Emmerdale star was grilled by host Emma Willis in a pre-recorded segment shown on Monday night's episode.

“It felt like it was blown out of all proportion in your mind, but even two days later when you re-enacted it on Ben [Jardine], it was totally different. So how could you get something so wrong in your head?” Willis asked.

Pallett, who had earlier addressed her “overreaction” to broadcaster Jeremy Vine, replied: “Watching it feels like a completely different scenario to what it felt at the time.”

Willis, confused by how Pallett could change her view on the situation despite maintaining that Thomas' punch had hurt her, asked: “But surely watching something doesn't change the way it felt? So why suddenly would you have a different perspective on it? Can you imagine if those cameras hadn't been there? You would have ruined somebody."

She added that Pallett has had “the luxury of time [and] some might say research,” adding firmly: “Lots of people are not buying your apology.”

Pallett broke down in tears after being asked if she could forgive herself for how she dealt with the situation. Willis, resolute in her stance, simply pulled out her earpiece and ended the interview.

Many were impressed with Willis' interview technique, commending her on social media.

Celebrity Big Brother continues nightly on Channel 5.