No ‘clear link’ between Jeremy Kyle Show and guest death

A guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show died after experiencing stresses in his relationship and poor mental health, a coroner has said.

Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg said the show was a “possible” factor but not the “probable” cause of Steve Dymond’s suicide in May 2019.

Mr Dymond, 63, from Gosport, Hampshire, was found dead a week after being accused of lying by the presenter during filming for the former ITV talk show.

In a statement, Mr Kyle said he had been “exonerated” and his name had “finally been cleared”.

Mr Dymond, who had a history of suicide attempts, had hoped that taking a lie detector test on the show would prove he had not cheated on his partner Jane Callaghan, the inquest in Winchester previously heard.

In recorded footage shown at the inquest, Mr Kyle told the guest to “grow a pair” and “I wouldn’t trust you with a chocolate button”.

In a key clip, Ms Callaghan sobbed and shouted when the results of a lie detector test were revealed.

Mr Kyle told Mr Dymond: “Just so you’re aware you failed every single question.”

The construction worker, originally from Gosport, was filmed tearfully pleading: “I swear to God, I am being so straight… I have not been unfaithful to her.”

The inquest was told failing one question meant failing all of them, according to the administrator of Mr Dymond’s polygraph test.

Giving evidence to the inquest, the TV presenter denied “humiliating” Mr Dymond.

Mr Kyle told the inquest: “From the moment Steve Dymond came out, I called him ‘mate’, I called him ‘pal’.

“I de-escalated, I calmed it down, I pushed it backstage.

“And that was what the show was all about – conflict resolution.”

Recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner said Mr Dymond died from the combined effect of an overdose and a heart condition.

He concluded: “There is an absence of reliable evidence that demonstrates that Steve Dymond’s appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show probably caused or contributed to his death.

“I am not satisfied that events on The Jeremy Kyle Show gave rise to a clear link that caused or contributed to the death of Steve Dymond such that I should be recording this as a contributing factor.”

He added that Mr Dymond had “lied” about his mental health to an ITV mental health nurse who assessed his suitability for the programme.

In Jeremy Kyle’s statement, a 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 five and a half 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.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via the BBC Action Line.