Dr Ranj failed to inform BBC bosses about AstraZeneca advert
BBC Morning Live’s Dr Ranj Singh has found himself caught up in a damaging row with the BBC over his financial links to pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
The TV doctor, who quit This Morning in 2022 after 10 years, was reportedly paid £22,500 by the company in 2021 for an advertising campaign.
However, Dr Ranj, 44, failed to disclose this information to BBC executives when he led a feature on the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Morning Live earlier this month.
BBC bosses are said to be ‘unhappy’ he had not raised the information, revealed The Mirror.
The BBC have strict conflict of interest rules and have expressed their ‘sense of displeasure’ at Dr Ranj’s actions.
Dr Ranj Singh reportedly failed to tell BBC bosses about his £22,500 AstraZeneca advert before jabs feature on Morning Live on May 8
BBC bosses are said to be ‘unhappy’ he had not raised the information, revealed The Mirror
Guidelines state that ‘significant financial interests’ should be declared ‘if they are in any way connected with the area in which they work or the subject matter they cover.’
Dr Ranj spoke about the AstraZeneca vaccine on the show on May 8 and the ‘serious but rare’ complications associated with it.
While credited with saving more than 6million lives, the jab — known as Vaxzevria — has come under intense scrutiny in recent months over a rare but fatal side effect.
In February, the pharmaceutical titan admitted in documents lodged with the High Court that it ‘can, in very rare cases, cause thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)’ (when you have a low blood platelet count).
The Mirror approached the BBC for comment earlier this week but Morning Live instead chose to address the issue first on the show on Thursday.
Presenter Gethin Jones said: ‘Ranj worked with the company on an educational children’s flu campaign along with a number of other medics, something he has spoken about and been clear about on his social media.
‘He has never been paid by AstraZeneca to talk about the Covid jab and hasn’t worked with them since. Hopefully that clears up any questions on that.’
A BBC spokeswoman told The Mirror they hadn’t known about the financial link before the show.
A BBC spokeswoman told The Mirror they hadn’t known about the financial link before the show and they have now addressed this within the show
The star quit This Morning in 2022 after 10 years and accused the show of having a ‘toxic’ culture of bullying and discrimination
In March Dr Ranj announced he was stepping down from BBC Asian Network radio as he said his goodbyes
She said: ‘The segment on the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine was balanced and covered reported risks and benefits. We became aware of Dr Ranj’s 2021 work for the manufacturer after this segment aired and have now addressed this within the show.’
MailOnline has contacted both Dr Ranj’s representatives and the BBC for comment.
In March Dr Ranj announced he was stepping down from BBC Asian Network radio as he said his goodbyes.
The star took to Instagram to praise his fans after he fronted his last show, Motivation, which saw the NHS doctor play a range of music as well as give motivational tips, health hacks and advice.
In an emotional statement, he wrote: ‘Well last night was my final @bbcasiannetwork Motivation show (for now)…
‘It has been an absolute blast and wouldn’t be possible without this incredible lady, my producer @shreniyajnik!
‘And thank YOU all for listening and getting in touch! Swipe to hear the cutest message from my nephews, and my parting advice to all our listeners.
‘You can listen to all of the episodes anytime on @bbcsounds.
‘P.s. I’m not quitting – my series of 13 shows has just come to an end as planned, but watch this space!’
In 2023, Dr Ranj claimed he believes accusing The Morning of having a ‘toxic’ culture of bullying and discrimination has negatively impacted his career.
He spoke out against the ITV daytime show in the midst of the Phillip Schofield scandal, in which the host revealed he had an affair with a much younger colleague.
ITV boss Dame Carolyn later said an external review conducted after a complaint made by Dr Ranj found ‘no evidence of bullying or discrimination’.
Dr Ranj previously said he thought ‘long and hard’ before weighing in on the scandal which engulfed ITV but decided to speak out.
