The masked SINGH-ER!
PANTO STARS DR RANJ AND SUZANNE SHAW TALK ROZ LAWS ABOUT SPENDING XMAS IN BRUM
IF there’s a shortish character in a very sparkly costume in the next series of The Masked Singer, don’t bet against it being Dr Ranj Singh.
The super busy personality already combines two jobs – TV presenting and being an A&E children’s doctor – and he’s now starring in the best panto in the land, in Dick Whittington at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
But Dr Ranj also loves to take on challenges and learn new skills through reality shows. He won Cooking with the Stars, took to the stage in All Star Musicals and the dancefloor in and Strictly Come Dancing and picked up a needle for The Great British Sewing Bee.
And there are still other shows he’d love to be involved with, and The Masked Singer is one of them. The hit ITV format sees celebrities singing in elaborate costumes as viewers try to guess their identities.
“It would be a dream come true to take part in The Masked Singer!” he declares. “I absolutely love that show.
“I’ve always said the jungle would be my worst nightmare, but I would still do I’m A Celebrity to push myself out of my comfort zone. I did that with Strictly and Cooking with the Stars but I feel it would be the ultimate challenge.
“Cooking with the Stars was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I literally bled for that show, when I cut myself. But I’ve fallen in love with cooking. One of my final dishes was butter chicken curry and I’ve cooked it several times since – it just gets better and better every time.”
Viewers were surprised by just how well Ranj, 43, can sing when he performed Come What May from Moulin Rouge in last year’s All Star Musicals. He admits the show reawakened a passion for song and dance shows.
“I’m a huge musicals fan and to perform on stage in front of my heroes like Elaine Paige was wonderful. I’d love to do more live theatre. My dream role would be in Wicked or Aladdin, even just a small role would be great.”
But first comes Dick Whittington, Ranj’s third panto but his first in Birmingham. His co-stars include Marti Pellow, Matt Slack, and Suzanne Shaw, and he’s playing the Spirit of the Bells.
“Everyone talks about how amazing the theatre and panto is in Birmingham, so I’m really looking forward to it. Julian Clary usually plays my role but I’ll bring my own flair to it. And I want even more glitter and sparkle in my costumes!
“I’ve been to Birmingham lots of times and I love the city. I’ve been for work, for filming and at medical conferences, and projects at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. I’ve been there often for social occasions. The food there is amazing.”
The cast rarely get a day off during the busy panto season, but that’s nothing new for Ranj, who works on ITV’s Morning Live during the week then for the NHS at the weekend.
“It doesn’t feel like work because I enjoy it so much, and I like the variety. Patients are usually surprised to see me in A&E, but it breaks the ice, especially for children for whom hospitals are a very scary place. I just don’t do selfies at work!.”
Another fan of Birmingham’s restaurants is Ranj’s co-star Suzanne Shaw, who plays Alice. She was last at the Hippodrome in 2017 playing Cinderella, but like Ranj is a frequent visitor to the city.
Suzanne, who shot to fame in Popstars as a member of Hear’Say, says: “I come to Birmingham a lot on the train, for shopping and as a halfway point to meet my Manchester relatives. I can’t wait to go back to the Bullring and have my family up for Christmas. I love Glynn Purnell’s restaurant and Santorini is great for between shows.”
Suzanne has two sons,
Corey, 17, with Darren Day, and Rafferty, seven, with her fiancé Sam Greenfield. She reveals they are planning to marry in the spring.
It’s a healthier Suzanne who will be seen on stage, compared with five years ago. At the start of 2000 she underwent a transformation by quitting alcohol and adopting a plant-based diet. She took up running and created the Happy
Health Club on Facebook.
Suzanne, 41, says: “I will be fitter this time round, with more stamina. Last year was the first time I didn’t get sick during the panto run, even though Covid was flying around. I’m training for the London Marathon next April, so you might see me running along the canals in Birmingham.”
Dick Whittington is at Birmingham Hippodrome from December 17 to January 29. Visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000for tickets.