'PROBLEMS GO DEEP'
Dr Ranj slams ‘toxic’ culture of ‘bullying’ at This Morning as Phillip Schofield row leaves ITV show in crisis
DR RANJ has slammed the "toxic" culture of bullying at This Morning - as the row over Phillip Schofield's affair leaves the ITV show in crisis.
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.
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In the 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.
“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.
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“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.”
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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.”
Yesterday, The Sun told how the telly contributor made complaints about staff behaviour after he left the programme last year.
Earlier this month, Dr Ranj said he’d been left “questioning his future” after departing This Morning.
He admitted he faced an “identity crisis” as a result of all the goings on at ITV.
It comes after ITV issued a major update on This Morning's future amid rumours it could be axed following Phillip Schofield's affair bombshell.
The show's future is in doubt following the toxic fallout from Phillip Schofield's affair revelations, with several hosts threatening to quit.
But ITV insists that This Morning is "not under review", with the show set to air as usual on Monday.
But the broadcaster did not deny the possibility that the show could face a review in the coming months.
It comes as Holly Willoughby accused Schofield of lying to her over his affair with a much younger ITV employee.
Breaking her silence on Instagram, Holly said: "It's taken time to process yesterday's news.
"When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
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"It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. Holly."
This Morning faces the axe as ITV chiefs fear the brand is forever tainted - and needs replacing with a new format, name and line-up of presenters.
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