Lee Ryan defends Roxanne Pallett

Lee Ryan has spoken out to defend "troubled" Roxanne Pallett.

The Blue singer urged \'Celebrity Big Brother\' fans to stop "ripping her apart" now that the former \'Emmerdale\' star has apologised and admitted she "got it wrong" when she accused her \'CBB\' housemate Ryan Thomas of punching her.

And Lee - who caused a stir on series 13 of the reality show thanks to his love triangle with housemates Casey Batchelor and Jasmine Waltz - questioned whether the 35-year-old star had "over exaggerated" what had happened because she was suffering from "paranoid delusions.

In comments on Instagram, he added: "Not say what she did was right at all...but nor is kicking the s**t out of someone who is troubled and clearly needs professional help."

And the 35-year-old singer warned fans there could be tragedy ahead if they continue to target Roxanne with cruel comments.

He posted: "It\'s awful and I\'ve had it done to me in a similar way. But it\'s still no ok for people to go at her like this.

"What if she kills herself through the onslaught? Is that ok? It\'s not, she\'s not well.(sic)"

Following the outcry over her actions, Roxanne - who left the \'CBB\' house voluntarily at the weekend - has quit her radio show on Minster FM and will be replaced in pantomime \'Cinderella\'.

A Minster FM statement read: "As a result of discussions today with her representatives, Minster FM can confirm that Roxanne Pallett has stepped down from her position at the station with immediate effect to take some time out and reflect on recent events.

"Roxanne will not be returning to Minster FM."

The 35-year-old star has also quit upcoming panto \'Cinderella\', in which she was due to play the lead role.

A tweet on the Chesterfield Theatres Twitter account read: "Statement from Paul Holman Associates: Roxanne Pallet has today decided to step down from her upcoming role as Cinderella in Chesterfield, in order to take some time out and reflect on recent events. We wish Roxanne the best and will be announcing her replacement in due course. (sic)"