Dr Ranj Singh has told of the “very painful time” during his divorce, which happened as he and his partner were “young and still working ourselves out”.
The 46-year-old, known for his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and This Morning, was previously married to Sulvinder Samra but they divorced in 2011 after the TV doctor realised his sexuality.
Dr Ranj has spoken out about the “emotional and deeply personal” time, days after his ex-wife shared a post to Instagram discussing how their split led her to “question everything” and feel like she was “not good enough”.
Ms Samra also revealed in her post that Friday would have been their 20th wedding anniversary, and said she felt “extremely unattractive” and “ashamed” after their “messy and painful divorce”.
Dr Ranj shared a post to Instagram on Monday and said that “recent conversations” have brought him back to the “complicated, emotional and deeply personal” time.
He said: “Firstly, I’m genuinely sad that this subject can still bring up pain and difficult feelings. That has never been, and would never be, my intention.”
The TV personality explained that he publicly discusses coming out as gay and his divorce “because it’s a significant period of my life” and hopes doing so “might help someone else”.
He added: “I don’t do it for attention or sympathy – it was a very painful time.”
Dr Ranj addressed a recent interview where he was asked about coming out, and said: “It’s a conversation I’ve had time and time again, and I’ve taken to keeping it brief because everything has been said.
“Unfortunately, as in many cases of relationships involving a LGBTQ+ person (especially a person of colour), people still make assumptions and pass judgment. In reality, life and relationships are rarely straightforward.”
The TV doctor said he “fell in love and was married for almost four years in my 20s”, adding: “Sadly, that relationship broke down for many reasons, not to mention we were young and still working ourselves out.
“After it ended, therapy helped me to slowly understand what happened and who I was – a process that took years.
“I didn’t grow up deliberately hiding who I was, nor did I intentionally try to mislead anyone. Like many people, I was trying to build the life I thought happiness looked like.”
Dr Ranj went on to discuss how “identity and sexuality are complex, fluid and evolving things” as he reflected on the time it took for him to come out.
He said: “We all make decisions and take steps we feel are for the best at the time. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t.
“When we don’t it can be painful and messy, but more than that, it’s just sad and heartbreaking for everyone involved. There are no winners in break-ups.”
He added that he “wouldn’t want to diminish” his relationship with his wife, calling their marriage an “important chapter of our lives”, and said: “I look back on that time and that person, with nothing but respect, gratitude and kindness.”
Dr Ranj ended the post by reflecting on how he has evolved since his marriage and said he is a “different to the person I was then” and told of how important it is to “keep moving forward”.
The post was flooded with support from fans and fellow celebrities, including former The Only Way Is Essex stars Jessica Wright and Ferne McCann, as well as TV host Laura Whitmore.
Dr Ranj is a doctor, TV presenter and author known for his appearances on shows including CBeebies’ Get Well Soon, and as the resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning from 2016 to 2021.
The TV star, who is currently dating actor James Colebrook, also appeared on hit BBC dancing competition Strictly in 2018 where he and partner Janette Manrara came in 10th place.
