Yahoo Sports Former This Morning star Dr Ranj speaks out about the show's "toxic" culture
Former This Morning star Dr. Ranj Singh has taken to Twitter to open up about the "toxic" culture of the show, while he also claims that he was "managed out" of the show after he tried to raise his concerns about the workplace.
"I was on the show for 10 years and I genuinely loved and valued working there. However, over time I grew increasingly worried about things behind the scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated."
Singh explained that he "didn't know the truth about what was going on with Phillip [Schofield]," but that he felt the issues at This Morning went beyond Schofield alone.
"It takes more than one person to create a culture," Singh wrote, adding that he did what he thought was right and made a complaint about a member of the show's staff "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."
Singh said he was then used "less and less" on the show after this, while he also clarified that he took his concerns "to the top of ITV."
Related: Phillip Schofield affair was investigated by 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," Singh wrote.
"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."
Singh wrote that he was told things would change behind the scenes but that he hasn't worked on the show ever since, while he also claimed that he wasn't the only one who spoke up about the work environment.
Related: ITV responds to claims Phillip Schofield was fired
"That was two years ago and, frankly, it still hurts. The whole process was pretty heart-breaking and even affected my mental health. But I'm happy to say I've found my feet again, know my worth and have found my tribe," Singh wrote.
He finished by writing: "There are some good people in TV, but we need to be brave and stand up to those who aren't. Even if it's scary as hell, we have to do the right thing otherwise nothing will change. I sincerely hope something good comes from all this."
This follows a turbulent week for the long-running ITV morning show after Schofield exited the show following a reported rift with Holly Willoughby. ITV paid tribute to Schofield afterward, while the channel later reputed the report that Schofield had been fired.
It was then revealed that Schofield had had an "‘unwise, but not illegal" affair with a young male colleague who worked on the show, which ITV said they had investigated.
Later, Willoughby released her own statement commenting on the affair, writing: "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. Holly."
An ITV spokesperson said: "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."
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