An inquest has found that there was no “clear and reliable causal connection” between Steve Dymond’s appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show and his subsequent suicide. The long-running programme was cancelled in 2019 after Mr Dymond was found dead, having failed a lie detector test during filming the previous week. Many saw the show’s confrontational style, with its presenter berating guests in front of a live audience, as contributing to Mr Dymond’s distress. Jeremy Kyle denied that he had humiliated his guest but was criticised by the coroner for telling Mr Dymond to “grow a pair” and encouraging the audience to boo him.
While accepting that Mr Dymond had experienced “mental distress,” the coroner concluded that the show was not a “direct cause” of his subsequent actions. The inquest heard that Mr Dymond had been diagnosed with both depression and a personality disorder, and had previously attempted suicide on three occasions. The coroner said that while the programme “may have caused or contributed” to Mr Dymond’s feelings of distress, it was one of a number of factors.
Mr Dymond’s death led to public outcry, and questions around the broadcasting industry’s duty of care, particularly for vulnerable individuals. Following the verdict, broadcaster ITV emphasised its “comprehensive duty of care processes” with regard to guests appearing on its programmes. However, Dr Charlotte Armitage, a specialist psychologist in film and TV, called for more updated guidance around TV mental health practitioners’ clinical training to work within the industry to help mitigate psychological risks.
The Jeremy Kyle Show was not the first programme to face criticism over its care of contestants. Love Island revised its welfare measures in response to the suicides of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis in 2018 and 2019 respectively. While some programmes such as the Korean talent show Made in Korea have already made welfare a priority, others such as Strictly Come Dancing are still dealing with issues such as complaints about the behaviour of professional dancers. However, many argue that further improvements are needed to ensure that support is offered at the right level throughout the entertainment industry
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