Dr Ranj Singh: Everything you need to know about Medway's TV doctor and Strictly Come Dancing star
Published: 12:06, 23 October 2018
Updated: 12:17, 23 October 2018
You have seen him dancing across the Strictly stage, helping kids on Get Well Soon on CBeebies and offering health advice in his weekly spot on ITV’s This Morning.
Yet there is a lot about which people do not know about Medway TV star Dr Ranj Singh.
Born in Chatham, he spent his childhood in the Towns, attending Gordon Junior School in Strood before moving to London.
The NHS children’s doctor also did a stint at Medway Maritime Hospital.
Alongside practising his Strictly routines alongisde professional dance partner Janette Manrara, he has also been working his day job in a children’s A&E.
He said: “I am probably the busiest I have ever been in my life at the moment but I am absolutely loving it.
"My NHS job is really important to me so I am still doing that and I am still doing my weekly slot on This Morning and I am fitting in my training for Strictly as much as I can around all of that.
“I love doing the show so much. I’m not ready to go home, so I’m just pushing harder and working harder each week because I’m enjoying it and I don’t want to go.
“I have been sneaking in the odd bit of footwork at work when nobody is looking. Janette is all about practice but I don’t think I am going to be dancing for the patients anytime soon.”
While Dr Ranj has been living the Strictly dream he has also been supporting a campaign to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu in time for winter.
The Share Good Times Not Flu scheme has been debunking the myths surrounding the vaccination and spreading information about the nasal spray vaccine as an alternative to the injection.
Dr Ranj said: “The UK nasal spray flu vaccination programme is expanding every year to all and this year it is being offered to all children aged two and three and everyone up to school Year 5 which is nine and 10-year-olds in England.
“We know that flu is much more common this time of year and we know that children under the age of five are the most likely group to end up in hospital because of it and a lot of people still confuse it with a common cold.”
n To find out more about the campaign visit www.sharegoodtimesnotflu.co.uk
Dr Ranj returns for week six of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday at 6.50pm for a Halloween special.
More by this author
Jess Sharp