Strictly Come Dancing star Dr Ranj has spoken honestly about how he struggled with people’s prejudices after coming out as gay.
However, it wasn’t the general public who treated him badly, but the National Health Service he worked for…
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The This Morning doctor – full name Ranjit Singh – explained: “The media industry is much more accepting, but I feel like the medical world has a little further to go.
“It’s a bit ironic that the caring profession could ever be prejudiced, but it does happen. People like myself and so many others are here to change that, though.”
Ranj, who is partnered on the BBC series with dancer Janette Manrara, also added in the interview with The Mirror: “My journey certainly hasn’t been easy, but is probably similar to many others.”
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The TV regular, who came out aged 30, was married to a woman for several years in his twenties.
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He revealed that telling his wife was heartbreaking.
He explained in interview with Attitude magazine: “It was so hard and I still don’t like thinking about it. I felt like my heart had been wrenched out of my chest.”
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The star – who is already a viewer favourite on the dancing show – realised the truth about his sexuality five years into his marriage, saying he was “completely broken”, and adding: “I can only imagine how hard it was for my wife, though – she didn’t deserve any of that.”
Dr Ranj is now a campaigner for equal rights and said he would’ve liked to dance with a man in this year’s series of Strictly.
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However, a BBC spokesperson later confirmed the introduction of same-sex couples is not something bosses are currently considering.
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A rep said: “Strictly has chosen the longstanding ballroom dancing format of mixed-sex couples.”
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It’s shocking that he had to put up with that kind of prejudice. Poor Dr Ranj, let’s hope attitudes wise up soon.
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