The inquest into the man who died after appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show has been adjourned.
Steve Dymond, a 63-year-old construction worker, was found dead at his home in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on May 9 2019. He was found dead shortly after attending a recording of the former ITV show.
The popular talk show, hosted by Jeremy Kyle and filmed at Salford's MediaCity, was suddenly pulled off air in May 2019 after 14 years and suspended indefinitely following Dymond's death. It has not been put back on air since.
READ MORE: Jeremy Kyle Show guest Steve Dymond's final messages shown for first time
But a hearing into his death today has been adjourned at Winchester by Hampshire Coroner, Jason Pegg, following a family bereavement. Mr Pegg said he agreed to a request to delay the hearing from Steve Dymond’s brother, Leslie Dymond, and son, Carl Woolley, following the death of their mother/grandmother.
He told the Winchester hearing: “Their state of grief would distract their minds and their ability to focus on the hearing. I am content to adjourn the inquest on grounds of compassion.”
Steve Dymond's death
Mr Dymond died of a suspected morphine overdose and a heart problem, a pre-inquest review heard last year. He had been filmed trying to show fiancee Jane Callaghan, 51, he hadn't cheated on her.
But the tests, which are not 100% accurate, said he was lying and their relationship ended, then 10 days later he took his own life. His final texts, which were shown in a new Channel 4 documentary this month, read: "I hope the Jeremy Kyle show is so happy now.
"They are responsible for what happens now. I hope this makes good ratings for them. I bet they keep this quiet. Never never never did I cheat on you. Never never. My final words."
Channel 4 said of the two-part documentary, Jeremy Kyle Show – Death on Daytime, which airs on Sunday and Monday next week: "Jeremy Kyle was approached for a response to the series. He did not provide a statement for broadcast. We will reflect his position in the film.”
Ahead of the doc, ITV has said in a statement that the "central purpose of the show was conflict resolution, and the show achieved many positive outcomes where people were able to resolve personal problems."
A spokesperson said: "The Jeremy Kyle Show had extensive and detailed duty of care processes in place for contributors built up over 14 years. It had a dedicated guest welfare team of mental healthcare professionals with decades of experience in NHS mental healthcare, who were focused on the welfare of guests throughout the production process
"Guests were supported by the programme and welfare teams prior to filming, throughout filming and after filming. Should they require ongoing help then appropriate solutions were found for them, which could include residential rehabilitation, counselling, anger management, family mediation, child access mediation or couples counselling.
"Due to the gravity of events in May 2019, namely the death of a guest a few days after taking part in the show, ITV decided to end production of the show. It would not be appropriate for ITV to comment further on that in advance of the inquest to be held later this month.
"ITV does not accept the central allegation of this programme of a “bad culture” within the production team. ITV would never condone any of its production staff misleading or lying to guests.
"All guests on the Jeremy Kyle Show were aware of the nature of the show and the presenter’s style before taking part in recording. Most of those who applied to appear watched the show themselves.
"All guests gave their informed consent, in writing, to take part. Since 2018, ITV had taken significant steps in relation to its duty of care of participants. ITV issued detailed new guidance to all its producers on protecting participants in October 2019."
