Dr Ranj hits out at ‘toxic’ This Morning tradition after Schofield affair furore
F
ormer This Morning star Dr Ranj has hit out on the present’s “toxic” tradition earlier than it airs on Monday for the primary time since Phillip Schofield’s admission of an affair with a youthful ITV colleague.
The veteran TV presenter, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his expertise company YMU after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning.
Ranj Singh, who was once the present’s resident physician, mentioned he raised considerations about “bullying and discrimination” two years in the past when he labored there and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.
His assertion – posted on Twitter and Instagram – comes as This Morning returns on Monday with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary internet hosting.
Dr Ranj mentioned: “I was on the show for 10 years and I genuinely loved and valued working there. However, over time, I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind-the-scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.
“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with TM (This Morning) go far beyond him.
“It takes more than one person to create a culture.”
Dr Ranj mentioned he raised his considerations with senior executives at ITV as he had been closely concerned in “diversity, anti-bullying and mental health projects” throughout the channel.
The tradition at This Morning had grow to be poisonous, now not aligned with ITV values, and I felt like as a result of I whistle-blew, I used to be managed out
“I then found myself being used less and less,” he continued.
“I even took my concerns directly to the top of ITV: the culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV values, and I felt like because I whistle-blew I was managed out.
“But as history and experience have taught us, things like bullying and discrimination are very hard to prove, particularly in hindsight and when the ‘people in power’ control the narrative.
“As we’ve seen, no review or investigation is foolproof.”
The physician mentioned he was assured that issues can be addressed and adjustments made however he has not labored on the present since – including it “still hurts” two years on from lodging complaints.
An ITV spokesperson mentioned: “We are sorry to read Dr Ranj’s post today. At ITV we are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.
“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”
According to The Mail on Sunday, Schofield first met the youthful ITV colleague whom he later had an affair with when he was aged 15.
Lawyers representing Schofield have confirmed they met when the boy was 15, however mentioned the affair started after he began working at ITV, and the person’s attorneys have additionally mentioned that it began after he joined the broadcaster.
In an announcement on Friday, Schofield mentioned it was when the youthful man joined the present as an grownup that their affair started.
ITV mentioned it investigated “rumours of a relationship” between Schofield and the ITV worker about three years in the past however each events “categorically and repeatedly denied” it.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster mentioned on Saturday that ITV was “not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour” when it seemed into the matter in 2020.
“Phillip’s statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship”, they added.
The broadcaster additionally mentioned it was “deeply disappointed” by the “admissions of deceit” by Schofield after he spoke publicly in regards to the affair.
Long-time co-host Holly Willoughby mentioned in an Instagram story posted on Saturday: “When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”
In his assertion, Schofield apologised for mendacity in regards to the relationship.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them (the Daily Mail), and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning,” he mentioned.
“I did have a consensual, on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
He went on: “In an effort to protect my ex-colleague I haven’t been truthful about the relationship.
“But my recent, unrelated, departure from This Morning fuelled speculation and raised questions which have been impacting him, so for his sake it is important for me to be honest now.”