Five years after the controversial cancellation of ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle Show, an inquest has concluded that there was “no causal link” between the show and the suicide of guest Steve Dymond. The confrontational daytime programme, known for its combative style and use of lie detector tests, came under intense scrutiny following Dymond’s tragic death.
Dymond, who appeared on the show to prove he hadn’t cheated on his partner, was found dead just a week after filming. The inquest heard that he had a history of suicide attempts and had been diagnosed with mental health disorders. Despite the show’s confrontational nature and Kyle’s aggressive style, the coroner ruled that the programme was not a direct cause of Dymond’s distress.
The fallout from Dymond’s death led to a public outcry and raised questions about ITV’s duty of care procedures. The show’s use of lie detectors and confrontational approach towards guests came under particular scrutiny. Following the incident, Ofcom introduced new rules to protect participants on TV shows, focusing on ensuring proper support for vulnerable individuals, especially those with mental health issues.
The TV industry as a whole has since moved towards tighter welfare measures, with shows like Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing implementing new guidelines to support contestants. Dr. Charlotte Armitage, a specialist psychologist in film and TV, acknowledges the progress made in improving welfare measures but believes there is still more work to be done to ensure adequate support across the industry.
As the industry continues to evolve and prioritize the well-being of participants, the legacy of The Jeremy Kyle Show serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of ethical production practices and comprehensive duty of care processes in television programming.
