Dr Ranj Singh has become one of Britain’s most recognisable television doctors, combining his medical expertise with a warm personality that has won over millions of viewers. But long before appearing on This Morning, Morning Live and Strictly Come Dancing, his story began in Kent—where an exceptionally gifted young boy would lay the foundations for an extraordinary career.

Now, fans have once again been reminded of his inspiring journey after his memorable appearance on Escape to the Country, where he searched for a peaceful new life far away from London’s hustle and bustle.

Searching For A Fresh Start

In the celebrity edition of BBC’s Escape to the Country, Dr Ranj teamed up with property expert Denise Nurse to hunt for a dream countryside home near the Peak District, armed with a budget of £550,000.

Joined by close friend and artist Tom Wolski, the TV doctor explored a series of stunning rural properties while joking about whether being a doctor or a vet is the tougher profession.

One spectacular home left him completely speechless.

Looking around in amazement, he exclaimed:

“Oh, look at that! Oh, my word. Wow! It is a castle!”

Convinced the property must cost around £700,000, Dr Ranj was visibly shocked when he discovered it was actually listed for exactly £550,000—comfortably within his budget.

The episode also reflected his growing desire to swap city life for somewhere quieter after years of living in a stylish two-bedroom London apartment overlooking one of the capital’s busiest roundabouts.

A Child Prodigy From Kent

Born in Chatham and raised in Medway in a traditional Sikh family, Dr Ranj displayed remarkable academic ability from an incredibly young age.

He attended Gordon Junior School in Strood and famously passed his first GCSE when he was just eight years old.

Describing himself as a lifelong “geek,” he later moved to London to study medicine before training at some of the capital’s leading hospitals.

In 2007, he became a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and has since worked at prestigious institutions including St Thomas’ Hospital, Evelina Children’s Hospital and Medway Maritime Hospital.

His passion for educating young people has also extended beyond medicine.

Dr Ranj’s first children’s non-fiction book, How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing, became an instant success, reaching the Sunday Times bestseller list shortly after publication.

From Hospital Wards To Primetime Television

While continuing his work as a practising paediatrician, Dr Ranj gradually became one of the UK’s best-known television health experts.

Millions came to know him through regular appearances on ITV’s This Morning before he later joined BBC’s Morning Live, where he became a trusted voice explaining important health issues in a clear and reassuring way.

In 2018, he also embraced an entirely different challenge by competing on Strictly Come Dancing alongside professional dancer Janette Manrara.

Although the pair exited the competition in Week Seven, Dr Ranj admitted the experience taught him something unexpected.

As someone who had always excelled academically, he confessed learning dance routines proved far more difficult than memorising medical information.

The Personal Journey That Changed His Life

Away from the cameras, Dr Ranj has been remarkably open about one of the most difficult chapters of his personal life.

He married Sulvinder Samra in 2006 while in his twenties, but after six years together he came out as gay, leading to their divorce in 2011.

Reflecting on that period, he has spoken honestly about feeling that he had achieved everything society expected of him—a successful career, marriage and a home—yet still sensed something was missing.

Through therapy, he realised he had been trying to live someone else’s version of the perfect life rather than his own.

That discovery ultimately transformed both his personal happiness and his confidence.

Since then, Dr Ranj has become a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, particularly within ethnic minority communities, regularly speaking about the importance of authenticity and acceptance.

Finding Happiness Again

Today, Dr Ranj has found love with actor, model and personal trainer James Colebrook.

James, who graduated from Laine Theatre Arts in 2017, has built a career in theatre and entertainment, appearing in productions including Game Night at London’s Wonderville venue.

He also co-hosts the Bunny & the Beast podcast alongside drag performer Bunny Galore.

The couple have largely kept their relationship away from the spotlight, preferring to share only occasional glimpses of their life together.

For many fans, their quiet romance represents the happy ending to a journey that required years of courage, self-discovery and resilience.

From an academically gifted child in Kent to one of Britain’s most respected television doctors, Dr Ranj Singh’s story is about far more than career success. It is ultimately a reminder that true fulfilment often comes not from ticking life’s expected boxes, but from embracing the person you were always meant to be.