ITV cancels ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’ after death of guest

ITV has cancelled its tabloid talkshow The Jeremy Kyle Show after a guest was found dead after taking part in an episode.

Steve Dymond died from an overdose last week, 10 days after failing a lie-detector test on the long-running ITV daytime programme. Dymond had appeared on the show to try to prove his innocence after he was accused of being unfaithful by his girlfriend.

On Monday (13 May), ITV had said it was suspending the show from its schedules until further notice.

Today, however, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall announced the cancellation of the show: “Given the gravity of recent events we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show.

“The Jeremy Kyle Show has had a loyal audience and has been made by a dedicated production team for 14 years, but now is the right time for the show to end.

“Everyone at ITV’s thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Steve Dymond.”

ITV said a previously announced review of the episode of the show featuring Dymond is underway and will continue.

However, the broadcaster appeared to stick by presenter Jeremy Kyle, saying it will continue to work with him on other projects.

ITV came under huge pressure this week to take action around the show, with MPs, mental health charities and even the Prime Minister expressing concern about the programme.

The decision to cancel it comes amid growing scrutiny of the treatment of participants on reality TV programmes, following two suicides of contestants who had appeared on ITV2 hit Love Island.

The Jeremy Kyle Show, which airs each weekday morning, is an ITV Studios production, and has been on air since July 2005.