By Julian Whittle

Last updated 16:00, Monday, 12 May 2008

CARLISLE actress Roxanne Pallett is said to be “stunned and upset” by allegations that she was a school bully.

Roxanne Pallett

The 25-year-old, who plays Jo Sugden in ITV’s Emmerdale, has long claimed she was bullied while at Trinity School in Carlisle.

But the Sunday Mirror suggested yesterday that Roxanne was herself a bully.

The newspaper carried a lengthy interview with Sophie Docherty, another former Trinity pupil, who says she suffered psychological bullying at the hands of Roxanne.

Sophie was a pupil at Trinity for only two terms before her parents moved her to fee-paying Austin Friars School in Carlisle.

The Sunday Mirror also alleged that two other, unnamed, girls were victimised by Roxanne.

The Emmerdale star today issued a statement through ITV denying the claims.

She said: “As a supporter of the anti-bullying campaign and a victim of bullying myself I was appalled to read this story, which is completely untrue.”

An ITV spokeswoman said Roxanne was “completely stunned” and “quite upset”.

She added that Trinity School backed up the star’s version of events.

No decision had been taken about whether to pursue legal action against the Sunday Mirror.

Roxanne told the News & Star in 2005 that she had been bullied from the age of 12.

She said: “My grandad is Italian so I’ve always had darker skin than most people and at school this singled me out as different from the other kids.

“I remember walking into school one day and the kids had written the ‘N’ word on the blackboard to insult me.

“I also had my hair set on fire and was beaten up. But, though it was hard to deal with at the time, I never gave up.

“I wouldn’t let the bullies see how upset I was. In fact, the whole experience made me stronger.

“Now I can laugh at those people who bullied me and said I’d never make it because since I’ve joined Emmerdale I feel like I have,” said Roxanne.

JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk