Doctor Ranj has claimed that he was "managed out" of his role on This Morning two years ago after raising concerns about the working environment at the show.
The long-running daytime programme has been top of the news agenda for the last fortnight after Phillip Schofield stepped down as host with immediate effect, later admitting that he had lied to executives about having an affair with a young male colleague more than 30 years his junior.
Several people formerly associated with the show - including Eamonn Holmes and Dan Wootton - have been vocal about their own experiences working alongside Schofield, and now Doctor Ranj - the show's medical guru from 2011 to 2021 - has also spoken out.
Posting on social media, Ranj said that he had raised concerns about show editor Martin Frizell to ITV's head of daytime Emma Gormley but subsequently found that his role was being reduced.
"I've thought long and hard about posting this. If I'm honest, I really wish I didn't have to," he wrote. "But I've got to clarify some things that have been reported about me, and in light of recent events, I finally feel like I might be believed...
"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. 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's behaviour (and the environment at TM) with Emma Gormley 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."
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 of 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 am not the only one who has spoken up or experienced similar."
In response, 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."
Neil Wilkes
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