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This Morning’s Dr Ranj hits out at show with cryptic hint

15 June 2023 , 13:51
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This Morning’s Dr Ranj hits out at show with cryptic hint
This Morning’s Dr Ranj hits out at show with cryptic hint

THIS Morning star Dr Ranj has again hit out at the ITV daytime series and hinted his claims of a "toxic" environment were not directed at disgraced host Phillip Schofield.

The ITV presenter, 43, recently slammed what he alleged was the culture of "bullying" at the broadcaster.

This Morning's Dr Ranj has issued a second statement on the culture at ITV qhidddiqqeidtrprw
This Morning's Dr Ranj has issued a second statement on the culture at ITVCredit: Rex
It comes after Phillip Schofield was axed from the ITV daytime show
It comes after Phillip Schofield was axed from the ITV daytime showCredit: Rex
Dr Ranj wrote in a fresh statement he 'flagged up my concerns as I was supposed to'
Dr Ranj wrote in a fresh statement he 'flagged up my concerns as I was supposed to'Credit: ITV

Dr Ranj worked on the show as a resident medical expert alongside Phillip, 61, and his ex co-host Holly Willoughby for six years before stepping down in 2022. 

Last month, the star took to Instagram to tell fans he had thought “long and hard” about opening up on his experiences at This Morning, but was desperate to “clarify” what happened.

He made his comments prior to Phillip coming clean about his affair with a much younger ITV runner.

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Phillip, who was married at the time, branded the relationship "unwise but not illegal" after being axed by the broadcaster.

Now he has taken to his Twitter page to clarify his initial comments - hinting they may well not refer to Phil after all.

In a fresh message posted to his public page Dr Ranj wrote: "Just for clarity my complaint (and investigation) was not about Phillip - it was not about ITV as a channel and I did speak up when I was working on This Morning.

"I flagged up my concerns as I was supposed to and I did it because I wanted things to be better for all.

"As I still do."

In a further Twitter post, the medic continued: "Policies and procedures may be in place but that doesn't mean everyone is aware/feels empowered to use them.

"And investigations are only as good as the people/questions you ask.

"If you can't/won't speak up, you won't get the full picture.

"This applies across all industries."

Dr Ranj's remarks come less than 24 hours after the Government's Digital Culture Media and Sport Committee questioned ITV's chief executive, Dame Carolyn McCall.

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In the public hearing, ITV bosses admitted they did not formally investigate Phillip's affair.

Asked about Dr Ranj's specific claims, Dame Carolyn insisted: "We don't recognise that culture."

She said a survey of ITV daytime staff reveals 89 per cent are "proud" to work there.

Meanwhile, in his initial social media statement, Dr Ranj claimed that he “raised concerns” about Phillip and show producer Martin Frizell before being used “less and less” as a guest.

“I was on the show for ten years and I genuinely loved and valued working there,” Dr Ranj said.

“However, over time I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind-the-scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.

“So I did what I thought was right and, as ITV confirmed last night, I raised my concerns about Martin’s behaviour (and the environment at TM) with Emma Gormley [managing director] especially given that my job is to look after people’s well being and I had been heavily involved in diversity, anti-bullying and mental health projects across the channel.”

“I then found myself being used less and less.”

Dr Ranj 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.”

He added that show bosses “assured” him his complaints were being investigated and “changes made” - but failed to see the changes he was looking for.

“That was two years ago, and frankly, it still hurts,” Dr Ranj concluded.

“The whole process was pretty heartbreaking and even affected my mental health.

“I sincerely hope something good comes from all this.”

The Sun has gone to ITV for comment.

“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with This Morning go far beyond him. It takes more than one person to create a culture.

The medic stated 'my complaint (and investigation) was not about Phillip'
The medic stated 'my complaint (and investigation) was not about Phillip'Credit: Rex
Dr Ranj's initial statement stated he 'raised concerns' about Phil and show producer Martin Frizell
Dr Ranj's initial statement stated he 'raised concerns' about Phil and show producer Martin FrizellCredit: Louis Wood

Beth Allcock

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