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Jeremy Kyle is an “interested person” in the investigation of a guest on his show who was found dead shortly after attending a filming, the court has heard.
The preliminary hearing is held on the death of 63-year-old Stephen Dymond, who died of a morphine overdose and a heart problem seven days after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show last year.
Hampshire Coroner Jason Pegg stated that the television host is someone “who may have caused or contributed to the death of Stephen Dymond.”
He added that it would be “ridiculous” for Kyle not to give “his own opinion” on that claim in future research.
Jeremy Kyle’s show was canceled after Dymond’s death
The court also heard that “something may have happened on stage” after Kyle’s closing remarks at the end of the chat show “to attract the attention of the audience.”
The investigation in Winchester read excerpts from a witness statement from Dymond’s brother, Lesley, who described calling him from a taxi after filming.
He said he was “extremely distraught” that the audience “booed and booed him”, that Kyle was “in his face” and that he was followed from the stage.
He said Dymond told him he felt “trapped” and couldn’t get out and ended up “on his knees.”
He said that he had tried to “dissuade him from suicidal thoughts” but that his brother was “obsessed” with the results of a lie detector test he had taken during the show and mentioned it many times.
He said he had talked to him “for hours” over the course of several days, until he “got off the radar” and his body was later found.
Mr. Dymond had gone to the ITV morning show to take a lie detector test to show that he had not been cheating on his fiancée, Jane Callaghan, from whom he had recently separated.
He later said that he was concerned about the repercussions and subsequent rumors after filming the show.
On behalf of Mr. Dymond’s family, Ms. Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC read an excerpt from Kyle’s witness statement, in which the presenter says: “I did not behave in an annoying manner at all.” She says that she disagrees with this.
Kyle’s statement also reads: “I don’t recall being reported to me of major issues [with Mr Dymond]”before recording the program.
Ms. Gallagher says that’s not true, and that Kyle had previously referred to Dymond stopping taking antidepressants to appear on the show.
He reiterated that the lie detector test was central to the investigation and said that not only was Mr. Dymond’s reaction to the results important, but also Kyle’s reaction and behavior at the time.
Ms. Gallagher said that Kyle had previously made statements to say that the lie detector tests are “100% accurate.” However, he agreed that the scope of the investigation was not to test the reliability of the evidence itself.
He also said that Mr. Dymond’s mental health and the fact that he was obsessed with suicidal thoughts was very relevant to the case.
Ms. Gallagher added that the continuing description of Dymond’s participation in the show as “a disturbing experience” by Simon Antrobus, the QC representing ITV, is “dismissive.”
The pallbearers carry Mr. Dymond’s coffin at his funeral in Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth
Speaking of Dymond’s direct experience with Jeremy Kyle during filming, Pegg said eyewitness statements showed that: “It is that discomfort that played out over the following week and played a role in his death.”
He said that would inform the choice of witnesses called to attend the full investigation.
Ms. Gallagher raised an additional point, who raised to the court that “something may have happened on stage at the end of the show to attract the attention of the audience.”
He said the footage provided by ITV appears to show something that happened after Kyle’s final comments, so he said it was necessary to establish whether Dymond or anyone else returned to the stage.
Ms. Gallagher said the family was “upset” after ITV withheld some images from them for no clear reason, and questioned whether the coroner had received the full images.
He also referred to an earlier description of Jeremy Kyle’s show “as human bear harassment,” made by a judge in a previous court case related to the show.
The court also heard that the first time he visited his GP in March 2019, his doctor initially deemed Dymond “unfit” to appear on the show.
However, at a later appointment, on April 29, her GP gave her a letter saying she could participate.
In a previous investigation, Coroner Pegg described Dymond’s heart condition, which was partly responsible for his death, as left ventricular hypertrophy, which is when the left chamber of the heart does not pump properly.
The pre-investigation had been scheduled to take place earlier this summer, following several previous delays due to coronavirus – however, the coroner was forced to leave the July virtual hearing halfway through due to technical difficulties.
the Jeremy kyle The show started in 2005 and ran for 17 series. It was canceled on May 10, 2019, the day after Dymond’s death.
Kyle said at the time that he was “completely devastated”.
ITV endorsed host Kyle, and broadcaster television director Kevin Lygo confirmed it was piloting a new show with him later that year, though not at the same 9:30 a.m.
Jeremy Kyle’s show was the most popular daytime show on the channel.
There has been growing scrutiny of the duty of care that reality shows have towards participants. Photo: ITV
Dymond’s death added to growing scrutiny of the duty of care reality shows have towards contestants, which came just a month after the former’s death. Island of love contestant Mike Thalassitis.
Sophie Gradon, another Love Island contestant, took her own life in the summer of the previous year.
The media watchdog Ofcom recently conducted a consultation on the well-being of radio and television program participants and plans to release a statement later this year.
Changes to the Broadcasting Code are expected to protect participants in reality shows, documentaries, talent shows, and other forms of factual and entertainment programs.
Coronor Mr. Pegg indicated that the full investigation will cover the period from March 14, 2019, until the day of Mr. Dymond’s death on May 9, 2019. It will not be conducted before a jury and is likely to take place. late spring / summer 2021.
Sky News has reached out to Jeremy Kyle for comment.
Anyone feeling emotionally distraught or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
