Ex-This Morning star Dr Ranj Ranj has issued a statement after a photo of him and Phillip Schofield's younger lover has surfaced online.
The TV doctor used to work on the ITV show alongside Phillip and Holly Willoughby but left to go over to BBC's Morning Live over a year ago.
Though this week Ranj revealed that he had put in a formal complaint about an unnamed bully on the show.
READ MORE: Holly Willoughby appears downcast as she's seen first time since co-star feud rumours
Ranj went on to slam the show's culture and blast the channel's "toxic culture".
However, since then a picture has resurfaced online of him and the showrunner Phillip had an affair with, which was taken in 2017.
Dr Ranj called Phil's ex-fling the 'This Morning stud' – but explained he was joking.
The doctor defended himself by issuing a statement about the snap.
Dr Ranj wrote: "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."
Over the weekend, he had gone online to explain how he was "increasingly worried" the behind-the-scenes antics at This Morning.
He said: "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. 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," he said.
"But then I found myself being used less and less."
He added: "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.
"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."
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here
READ NEXT:
Holly Willoughby removes Phillip Schofield from her Twitter account amid 'fall-out'
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield 'feud' – queuegate, brother's trial and ITV split
Holly Willoughby 'blindsided' by Phillip Schofield as he says 'it's not been easy'
Source: Read Full Article