No clear link between Jeremy Kyle show appearance and guest's suicide

A coroner has ruled there was "no causal link" between the suicide of Steve Dymond and his appearance on the Jeremy Kyle show.

The 63-year-old, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, is believed to have taken his own life seven days after filming for the ITV show in May 2019.

Ruling out Steve Dymond’s treatment by The Jeremy Kyle Show as a contributory factor to his death, Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg said: "There is insufficient evidence for me to be satisfied that this was the direct cause of Steve’s death."

Coroner Jason Pegg gave a conclusion of "suicide" at the inquest of Steve Dymond saying he was suffering from “mental distress” at the belief that his relationship had “irretrievably broken down”.

He said: "The deceased’s decision to take his own life was made in the context of his mental distress that was probably exacerbated by his belief that a significant relationship had now irretrievably broken down following his participation on a television programme where it had been suggested that the deceased had lied to his partner."

He added that Mr Dymond had left notes for this family and said: "There is nothing in those notes where Mr Dymond is critical of his treatment by the show."

No 'clear and reliable causal connection' between Steve Dymond's death and participation in The Jeremy Kyle Show

Dismissing The Jeremy Kyle Show as a "direct cause of Steve Dymond's distress", coroner Jason Pegg said: "These accounts are not supported with any independent expert evidence to evaluate the impact of his treatment on the show.

"It would be unsafe to infer these links in the absence of a clear and reliable causal connection.

"Steve Dymond's participation in the show is one of a number of factors, and whilst possible that the manner experience added to his distress it is not probable.

"The weight which can be attached to these accounts must be balanced with the other evidence available in the aftermath of the show including Steve Dymond's own reliability, the evidence from witnesses and the rush recordings.

"Aftercare records indicate Steve Dymond was 'emotionally contained' and expressed no dissatisfaction towards his treatment during the recording with a plan for follow-up CBT support."

The coroner also ruled there is "insufficient evidence" to conclude whether or not Steve Dymond lied during his lie detector test.

Jason Pegg told the inquest: "The lie detector test recorded that Steve had provided an untruthful response to all questions asked of him.

"The expert evidence within the recording noted that a failure to one question may result in failure of them all.

"There is insufficient evidence for me to be satisfied whether or not Steve had indeed lied during the lie detector test."

He said it was recognised by Jon Millership, a senior producer on the Jeremy Kyle show, that the accuracy of a lie detector test was "between 60-96%".

"It is accepted that the lie detector test cannot be considered to be wholly accurate," he said.

Family: Cancellation of show 'only good thing' to come from Mr Dymond's death

Mr Dymond's son Carl Woolley said the "only good thing" that had come from his father's death was that the Jeremy Kyle Show was cancelled.

In a statement read outside the inquest by one of the family's solicitors, Mr Woolley said: "It has been five years since my father died.

"In my view anyone watching the clips of the show would see that he was in tears, and spoken to in the most brutal way by Jeremy Kyle.

"The coroner has recorded that the lie detector test, in which Jeremy Kyle believes in so strongly, can have an accuracy of 60-96%.

"The only good thing that came from my father's death is that the Jeremy Kyle Show is cancelled."

Kyle spokesperson says presenter 'exonerated' by inquest ruling

In a statement, Jeremy Kyle's spokesperson said:

"His Majesty’s Coroner has today clearly and unequivocally found that Jeremy Kyle did not in any way cause or contribute to the tragic suicide of Steve Dymond. He is now exonerated of that ill-informed accusation and his name has finally been cleared.

"Out of respect for the family of Mr Dymond and the judicial process, Jeremy has always maintained that it would be inappropriate to discuss details whilst the legal inquest was ongoing and he has remained steadfastly silent in the face of lies, false accusations and unfair criticism over the last 5 1/2 years.

"This has taken a huge toll on him and his family and he would like to thank everyone who has truly supported him through these tough times."

ITV said in a statement following the inquest that it is "committed to continuing to evolve and strengthen the care" of guests on its shows.

The broadcaster said: "We extend our deepest sympathies to those close to Mr Dymond and recognise how difficult the inquest and the past five years have been for them.

"The coroner did not find any causal link between Steve Dymond's appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show and his death.

"In the coroner's findings of fact, he confirmed that the Jeremy Kyle Show had comprehensive duty of care processes covering the selection of contributors who appeared on the show and their care both during and after filming.

"The coroner described how these processes were followed with Steve Dymond, including the offer of follow up cognitive behavioural therapy support.

"ITV is committed to continuing to evolve and strengthen the care given to all those who take part in our shows, which we believe set industry leading standards for the selection, protection and support of participants."

Where can I get support?

If you are affected by any of the issues raised, support is available 24/7 by contacting the Samaritans.

You can do so by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org, or visiting your nearest Samaritans branch.

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