Dr Ranj Singh says parents of intensive care patients he looks after often asked him to pose for photographs with their seriously ill youngsters.
The TV medic, a hard-working paediatric doctor as well as appearing on a number of programmes, says things can often get a little inappropriate on the wards.
Dr Ranj puts the request to the stress of mums and dads seeing their children being in hospital.
But he says he always yes as it helps to put some smiles on faces during difficult days.
Questioned on if he ever is asked for pictures while he is working for the NHS, the 42-year-old said: "Well, even worse than that, trying to take a photo of their child on a life support machine with me.
"I work with kids and young people so usually they're fairly honest about stuff like that. It's their parents that sometimes get a little bit inappropriate.'
'"I get it, you're in that weird environment as a parent and all rules go out of the window.
"This is not your comfort zone," he told the Homo Sapiens podcast. "This is not the real world, so you latch on to any sort of normality you can.
"But, if in that moment, I'm able to bring people a little bit of normality or, dare I say, positivity in some way, shape or form, then I'm more than happy to do that.
"I think those moments are really important, especially when you're in crisis and you're struggling and everything is overwhelming and it often is in the environment I work in."
As well as appearing on ITV's This Morning, Dr Ranj competed in the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
He also offers medical advice on programme Dr Ranj: On Call.
In addition to working at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital – which saved the Prime Minister’s life at the start of the pandemic – Dr Ranj has sung on the charity cover of Bill Withers’ Lean On Me, along with Beverley Knight, Joss Stone and others to raise cash for the NHS.
He told the Mirror in 2020 that TV work had to take a backseat as soon as Covid-19 hit.
"My NHS job always takes priority," he said. "It’s my passion, my driving force, my bread and butter. During other periods I’ve done more media work, but as the crisis emerged I knew my NHS work would become more important.
"I am lucky I have a purpose and am so glad I’ve played a small part in helping. When I first heard the Thursday clapping I got very emotional.
"We don’t always get this kind of feedback or gratitude, it’s so nice to have this 'thank you’. I am hugely proud to be part of the NHS."
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