[Crimson Dynamo]

The 35-year-old launched a campaign with domestic violence charity Refuge back in 2008 after being part of a harrowing storyline on Emmerdale.

Her character Jo Sugden was physically abused by her husband Andy, played by Kelvin Fletcher. Andy slapped Jo during a row and promised he would never hit her again, but Jo ended up in hospital twice with broken bones.

And while discussing the difficult storyline, Roxanne opened up about her own history with abuse. (I wonder if that was all a lie too??)

When asked if she’d ever been hit, Roxanne said: ‘Erm…I was at the point where I couldn’t carry on and yeah, I was in an abusive relationship.’

‘And I’m a strong character and I’m confident and I’m quite assertive and if it can happen to me and it can happen to a character like Jo, it can happen to anyone. It happens to everyone in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t just happen to timid women in the corner.’

Roxanne teamed up with Refuge that year to help raise awareness around signs of abuse.



She said: ‘ Portraying a victim of domestic violence has been the biggest challenge I have ever faced as an actress.

‘Playing the role has taken a huge emotional toll on me, but it’s nothing to the pain, fear and torment experienced by the thousands of women Refuge supports every day.

‘I have no doubt this campaign will give strength to many women who may be experiencing abuse now, or who may do so in the future, to reach out and get help.’


https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/31/cbbs-...of-ex-7899698/