FOR some people, juggling two careers might be viewed as an awkward undertaking.
Nonetheless, in an interview with the GG2 Power List 2020, Dr Ranj Singh told us: “I'm in a very privileged position where I can have a dual career that I love.
“The clinical work is what drives me and is my passion, and my media work allows me to promote health and well-being on a public platform to millions of people, which is so important.
“I'm keen to use whatever platform I have to spread positive and helpful health messages to everyday people.”
On November 28, he looks set to make his panto debut at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, playing Billy Goose in Mother Goose. It promises to be a hoot and he said as much in July when he tweeted pictures of a van with him of him in costume splattered all over it.
Affectionately referred to as ‘Dr Ranj’ on the CBeebies show Get Well Soon that was to jumpstart his media career in 2012, the dashingly handsome Singh has, since then, most certainly not been short of media opportunities to spread the good word on healthy living.
In 2019, Singh appeared in another series of ITV’s Save Money Lose Weight alongside presenter Sian Williams.
In the show, members of the public road test some of the most popular diet plans and many diet myths are debunked.
In May 2019, Singh also launched a book of the same name, which has gone on to become a Sunday Times best-seller.
It is not his first foray into writing, as he has also penned two children's educational books: Food Fuel and Skelebones, as well as being a regular columnist for Attitude Magazine and Net Doctor.
In addition to being ITV’s This Morning’s resident doctor, Singh co-hosted the show last year alongside Vanessa Feltz. Later in 2018, he was a contestant on BBC’s Saturday night prime time offering, Strictly Come Dancing. Performing with dance partner Janette Manrara, Singh was the sixth contestant to be eliminated.
Of course, the showbiz glitz and glamour are a mere by-product of a conventional medical career for the Kent-born doctor, who grew up in a traditional Sikh household.
Attaining a medical degree from King’s College in 2003, he went on to specialise in paediatrics and paediatric emergency medicine at London's St George’s and St Thomas’ hospitals.
Earlier this year, he announced he was leaving his role at St George's Hospital. “My current plan is to stay in London and continue working in Paediatric Emergency Medicine,” and added, “as well as Intensive Care, as this is really important to me.
“I hope to balance all the media work around that! Having taken a little break after leaving St. George's, I'm really looking forward to getting back to seeing patients again.”
Singh was forced to revisit some painful memories at the close of 2018, when an interview with his former father-in-law in the Mail Online, received widespread national coverage.
His marriage had disintegrated in agonizing circumstances when after a few years of marriage, he finally accepted he was gay.
The process went on to leave him mentally shattered and wracked with guilt for the impact it had on his then-wife.
It's perhaps important to stress that his former father-in-law wished him no ill will and said his daughter has successfully moved on.
Her father told the paper that he still switches channels or leaves the room whenever he sees Singh on TV, but in a heart-warming Instagram response, Singh wrote, “The process of realising who you are, and being able to be your truest self, is different for everyone, and often not easy. My realisation happened later in life and was heart-breaking for all involved." Going on to add: "I have nothing but respect for my ex-wife and her family, whom I was very close to, and wish them all the very best in the future."
In the meantime, does he believe his story can challenge certain conservative values present in some Asian families and be an inspiration to other ethnic minority youngsters?
“I've come to realise that sometimes simply telling people things isn't enough. It's also important to show people that you can be non-conventional and still be happy with a fruitful career.”
