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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Sophie McCoid

Ranvir Singh's rise to fame from local news to Strictly star

Ranvir Singh has become one of the nation's favourite celebrities following her performance on Strictly Come Dancing.

The 43-year-old, was kicked out of the competition in the semi-final, but many viewers thought she was robbed of the title.

The GMB presenter grabbed headlines away from the dancefloor as well as rumours swirled around her and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.

The couple had electric chemistry on the floor and fans thought the pair might be romantically involved, but both have denied the claims.

However Liverpool FC fan Ranvir continues to fuel speculation with her flirty remarks to Giovanni.

Following her stint on Strictly Ranvir took over Lorraine on ITV for Christmas week where she gained even more fans, with some thinking she should take over the show permanently.

We decided to take a look at Ranvir's career so far and how she came to be so successful.

Early life

Ranvir was raised in Preston by a Sikh family and she attended Kirkham Grammar School

She then went on to graduate from the University of Lancaster with a degree in English and Philosophy and furthered her education with a postgraduate qualification in journalism at the School of Journalism in Preston.

Getting into journalism and North West Tonight

The LFC fan started out her career at Radio Lancashire in 2002, before moving to Radio Manchester where she covered the Commonwealth Games.

She then joined North West Tonight as a journalist and bulletin presenter in 2005, she quickly moved her way up the ranks and became co-host of the show alongside Gordon Burns and then Roger Johnson.

She also completed stints on BBC Radio 5 Live mainly covering late nights and weekend breakfast shows.

Ranvir went on maternity leave and when she came back she made the switch to ITV.

Daybreak and Good Morning Britain

The 43-year-old joined ITV Daybreak in 2012 and stayed with the show for two years before it rebranded as Good Morning Britain.

In 2017 she was promoted to Political Editor of the show and had more prominence alongside hosts Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan.

During her time on the show Ranvir reported on the Westminster Attack, the Grenfell fire and went inside the White House with President Trump.

When Piers and Susanna took time off Ranvir stepped up and presented the show alongside other hosts.

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Other projects

Away from her usual role in current affairs Ranvir has worked on a number of other TV shows.

The Strictly star has appeared on The Martin Lewis Money Show, Eat Shop Save and presented two prime-time series called Real Stories with Ranvir Singh.

She has also appeared on Loose Women several times.

Strictly Come Dancing

Ranvir announced she was taking part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, with Piers telling her she had to do well to not let the side down.

The news presenter transformed during her time on the show, throwing herself into the different dancing and fully embracing the different characters.

Her chemistry with her professional partner Giovanni led to speculation the pair were romantically involved.

The pair have denied a romantic connection, but say they have a "special bond".

And they got through to the semi-final of the competition and just missed out on a place in the final.

Speaking about her Strictly experience as she was booted out of the competition she said: "I’m just really sorry for Gio, he’s worked so hard and been in so many finals that I’m really sorry I couldn’t do it for you. Sorry.

"We’ve had some really fantastic memorable moments and I know I couldn’t have got this far without you."

But Giovanni said: "You don’t have to be sorry at all, we’ve both worked very hard, you’ve been an absolute dream to work with.

"You are a true hero, your job at 3 o'clock in the morning then you come in the room and dance with me. More than anything you’ve grown as a person and this for me is the most rewarding thing that I could ask for, so well done to you."

Children and partner

Ranvir has chosen to keep her personal life very private but as she announced her Strictly appearance she admitted that she was single.

The mum has previously been married to Ranjeet Singh Dehal.

The couple share son Tushaan together and he was born in 2012, with Ranvir often mentioning him during her TV appearances.

This year Ranvir also got a dog for the family, who she has named Shmizzles.

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