This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh breaks silence as selfie of him with Phillip Schofield’s ex-lover resurfaces
DR RANJ Singh has broken his silence after a selfie resurfaced of him alongside former This Morning host Phillip Schofield’s young lover.
Singh worked on the show as a resident medical expert alongside Schofield and his co-host Holly Willoughby for six years before stepping down in 2022.
A photograph has reemerged online showing Dr Ranj in a selfie with Schofield’s young lover taken years ago.
He said today: “It’s sad that there are people out there trying to cause damage and insinuate things from a harmless picture.
“So here are some facts: [Phil’s ex] and I worked together at This Morning. He was 21 when we took this picture at the studio. And it was obviously taken as a joke.”
Veteran TV presenter Schofield, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday.
He was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a young male colleague on This Morning.
Singh said he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” two years ago.
He claimed he was “managed out” for whistleblowing and didn’t know the truth of “what was going on with Phillip”.
He added: “It takes more than one person to create a culture.
“So I did what I thought was right and, as ITV confirmed last night, I raised my concerns about Martin Frizell’s behaviour (and the environment at This Morning) with Emma Gormley – especially given that my job is to look after people’s wellbeing, and I had been heavily involved in diversity, anti-bullying, and mental health projects across the channel.
“But then I found myself being used less and less.”
He claimed he took his 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,” he added.
“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.
“Still, I was assured that certain things were going to be addressed and changes made. I haven’t worked on the show since… and I’m not the only one who has spoken up or experienced similar.”
He said the experience affected his mental health but he’s now “found his feet again”.
It comes as a source revealed Schofield had trysts with his toyboy lover at a £1million flat next to the TV studios.
And last night Eamonn Holmes sensationally revealed Schofield would enjoy “Playtime Thursdays” with his young lover.
Schofield was pictured with the young male aide as early as 2018, when he hosted a This Morning Live event.
The shamed star was seen with the ITV runner, with whom he had an affair behind his wife’s back, and co-host Holly.
Staff sources say his closeness to the assistant was raising eyebrows as he insisted only he would help with his wardrobe and food.
An insider said: “It was odd — suddenly this new young staff member was glued to Phillip’s side.
“It was made clear to all other staff he was Phillip’s chosen aide — even though at times Phillip was quite abrasive towards him.”
This comes as an ITV boss has broken his silence amid claims that This Morning could be axed after the scandal.
Kevin Lygo, the channel’s director of television, denied an investigation into the presenter’s affair with a teen colleague had been bungled.
When asked by Sky News if mistakes had been made during the probe carried out by ITV in 2020, he simply replied: “No.”
This is despite claims eight stars previously complained about the relationship and Schofield’s “toxic” behaviour.
Boss Kevin declined to comment further on the issue, saying only: “Honestly, we’ve made a statement today [and] yesterday. I think it’s all clear.”
The television network previously said it has “no plans” to take This Morning off the air.
Schofield initially left the show he’d been presenting for 21 years over a growing feud with pal and co-star Holly.
His departure was also fuelled by his brother Tim being outed as a peado.
Just six days later, he made a bombshell revelation about the “consensual on-off relationship” – leaving him no choice but to quit ITV altogether.
ITV said no one employed on the daytime show knew of the affair as Schofield “lied” to everyone.
On Saturday a spokesperson said: “Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.
“Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.
“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.
“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.”