No single cause of Jeremy Kyle 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 was found dead in his rented room in Portsmouth a week after being filmed for the programme in May 2019.

The 63-year-old, 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.

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’s appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show probably caused or contributed to his death.

“To do so would be speculative.”

In the 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, 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.”

After the filming, Mr Dymond was crying and told an ITV staff member, “I wish I was dead”, the inquest heard.

He was offered counselling and later told an ITV aftercare worker: “I’ll be OK… I give you my word I’ll stay positive,” the hearing was told.

Mr Dymond’s GP, Dr Amjad Rehman, wrote a letter at Mr Dymond’s request which allowed him to appear on the show, the inquest previously heard.

The guest was initially rejected due to his depression and told the doctor that taking part was a “matter of life or death”, the coroner was told.

The open letter said Mr Dymond had a “history of low mood and depression but his mood has improved since he got back together with his partner”.

Mr Dymond, who had taken four previous overdoses, wrongly denied having ever self-harmed or having suicidal thoughts when his application was assessed by an ITV mental health nurse, the inquest was told.

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 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.