BBC Morning Live’s Dr Ranj Singh has been caught 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 in 2021 by the company for an advertising campaign.
However, Dr Ranj, 44, did not reveal this information to BBC executives when he led a story on the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Morning Live earlier this month.
BBC bosses are said to be “unhappy” that he had not provided the information, The Mirror revealed.
The BBC has strict rules on conflicts of interest and has expressed its “feeling of disgust” at Dr. Ranj’s actions.
Dr Ranj Singh reportedly failed to tell BBC bosses about his £22,500 AstraZeneca advert before the jabs appeared on Morning Live on May 8.
BBC bosses are said to be “unhappy” that he had not provided the information, The Mirror revealed.
The guidelines state that “significant financial interests” must be declared “if they are in any way related to the area in which they work or the topic they cover.”
Dr Ranj spoke about the AstraZeneca vaccine on the May 8 show and the “serious but rare” complications associated with it.
While credited with saving more than 6 million lives, the vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, has come under intense scrutiny in recent months for a rare but fatal side effect.
In February, the pharmaceutical titan admitted in High Court papers that it “may, 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 opted to address the issue first on Thursday’s show.
Presenter Gethin Jones said: ‘Ranj worked with the company on an educational campaign about childhood flu alongside other doctors, something he has spoken about and been clear about on his social media.
‘AstraZeneca has never paid him to speak about the Covid vaccine and he has not worked with them since. Hopefully this clears up any questions about this.”
A BBC spokeswoman told The Mirror they were not aware of the financial link before the programme.
A BBC spokeswoman told The Mirror they did not know about the financial link before the show and 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 harassment and discrimination.
In March, Dr Ranj announced he would be leaving BBC Asian Network radio as he bid farewell.
She said: ‘The segment on the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine was balanced and covered the reported risks and benefits. “We learned about Dr. Ranj’s work in 2021 for the manufacturer after this segment aired and have now addressed it on the show.”
MailOnline has contacted both Dr Ranj’s representatives and the BBC for comment.
In March, Dr. Ranj announced that he was coming down from bbc Radio Asian Network as he said goodbye.
The star took to Instagram to praise her fans after headlining her latest show.Motivation, who saw the National Health Service The doctor plays a variety of music and provides motivational tips, health tricks and advice.
In an emotional statement, he wrote: “Well, last night was my last @bbcasiannetwork motivational show (for now)…
‘It’s been an absolute blast and it wouldn’t be possible without this amazing lady, my producer @shreniyajnik!
‘And thank you all for listening to us and getting in touch! Swipe to hear the cutest message from my nephews and my farewell advice to all our listeners.
‘You can listen to all episodes anytime on @bbcsounds.
‘P.S. I’m not quitting – my 13-show series has just ended as planned, but watch this space!’
In 2023, Dr Ranj stated that he believes accusing The Morning of having a “toxic” culture of bullying and discrimination has had a negative impact on his career.
He spoke out against the ITV daytime show amid the Phillip Schofield scandal, in which the presenter revealed he had an affair with a much younger colleague.
ITV boss Dame Carolyn later said that an external review carried out after a complaint made by Dr Ranj found “no evidence of bullying or discrimination”.
Dr Ranj previously said he thought “long and hard” before commenting on the scandal engulfing ITV, but decided to speak out.