Dr. Ranj Singh: From Heartbreak to Chosen Family

Dr. Ranj Singh says his life 'fractured and fell apart' after he came out as gay, a decision that culminated in the collapse of his seven year marriage. 

The TV doctor, a household name through regular appearances on daytime shows This Morning and Morning Live, thought he had everything after exchanging vows with pharmacist Sulvinder Samra in 2005. 

A traditional Sikh ceremony, the wedding coincided with Singh's burgeoning career as an clinician, specialising in paediatric emergency medicine. 

But it took therapy for Singh, 46, to realise he wasn't “the person I thought I should be or thought I was going to be” - despite the prosperous life he had built for himself. 

'I had the career I’d always wanted, I always wanted a home of my own,' he told the Big Issue. 'I’d ticked all my boxes. So the big question was, why am I still not 100 percent happy? 

'Why does it still feel like something’s not right? And that’s when therapy brought all of that stuff out.' 

Born and raised in a Sikh household, Singh said it felt like everything was "fracturing and then falling apart” before coming out to his wife in 2009. 

He added: 'I was married and obviously that relationship broke down and then it was dealing with everybody else, friends and family.

'This perfect life that you’ve imagined and hoped for and dreamt of and worked towards isn’t your perfect life.' 

Fortunately, he was offered support and encouragement from his brothers, describing his unburdening to them as 'a beautiful moment.' 

'Their reactions were incredible,' he told Metro in 2024. 'They found the news surprising and had questions, but their sentiment was one of love, support, and acceptance.

'It took another 10 years before I had that conversation with my parents. Like anyone revealing their authentic self to those they care for most, I was scared of how they might react. I didn’t want to hurt them.'

He added: 'I braced myself for the worst, but what followed was beyond my wildest dreams. "We love you, no matter what,’ Dad said softly. My mum, though visibly shaken, nodded in agreement.

'"You are our son, and nothing will change that. Why didn’t you tell us before? We could have been there for you," she said.

'I had never felt more love or pride for my parents than at that moment. Their unconditional acceptance was everything I had ever needed.'

In 2018, his ex-wife's father Jemera Samra broke the family's silence after seeing his former son-in-law appearing as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing made them realise they still haven't got over what happened

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Samra said: 'A lot of years have passed but whenever I see him on television I either turn it off, switch channels or just walk out of the room. He still brings back a lot of painful memories for me.

'The marriage and why they divorced had a devastating impact on us all. We never expected anything like this would happen and if I'm being honest, it's something that is still a little difficult for me. I have obviously accepted it but it's still hard.'