Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh fought back tears as she bravely spoke about being the victim of sexual assault aged just 12.
The broadcaster, now 44, was speaking ahead of a documentary on Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been found guilty of charges including sex trafficking a minor. Ranvir, who waived her right to anonymity, spoke on GMB about her own experience when interviewing one contributor, survivor Lisa Phillips, apologising as she got emotional.
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She said the conversation with the victim brought back memories of her own experience.
Ranvir was explaining the programme, which airs tonight, to Good Morning Britain presenters Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid when she was forced to steady herself around the emotional conversation.
After a snippet of her chat with victim Lisa Phillips aired she addressed the concept of "survivors' guilt" and "memory" around sexual assault said: "It was in an effort to comfort her.
"I think a lot of people who have crimes of that nature committed to them do feel a sense of guilt - could I have done more, should I have shouted, should I have screamed. There's that sort of survivors' guilt.," she said.
In explaining why she decided to share what had happened to her, Ranvir said "It was in an effort to comfort her."
"She’s on Zoom and I’m in the UK and I can’t physically comfort her in any way and it was just an instant thing," Ranvir recalled on GMB. "I felt quite a shocking sense of empathy with what she was describing. And I was acutely aware we were on camera but it’s a human to human experience when someone’s telling you something so painful. I did say to her, 'Something happened to me when I was 12 and I understand you shouldn’t feel guilty about not-“‘.
Ranvir became emotional before apologising and saying: "Do you know what, I’ve only ever told two people in my life. And in the last two weeks, I’ve had to tell family members. So it’s just a bit odd, because it’s not something you generally talk about."
Ranvir went on to say it was very ‘touch and go’ as to whether she’d leave it in the documentary, but eventually made the decision to keep it in.
GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley shared their support for Ranvir, with Richard telling her: "All credit to you for reaching that very personal decision."
Ranvir said in the documentary: "Speaking to Lisa brought up something that happened to me when I was 12. It happened once —and that person is dead— and so I have an understanding of what it’s like and why you would never want to speak of it again."
Meanwhile, ITV viewers were also quick to respond, with one taking to Twitter to write: "Looking forward to seeing the documentary, and well done @ranvir01 that was a brave thing to do… been through the same thing and I got laughed at, glad times have changed for people to be taken seriously. Big loves xx."
Another posted: "I’ve always admired Ranvir as an exceptional journalist, but this morning, wow, your strength is an inspiration to everyone. I’m so sorry you went through something so horrendous. Much love."
Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile airs on ITV on Tuesday at 9pm.
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