A guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show took her own life - 14 years before Steve Dymond's suicide caused the cancellation of the controversial talk show.
Erica Pawson filmed an episode of the show in 2005 with her husband Paul.
Though the episode never made it to air, her friends said she believed that going on the show would make her "famous"
But, as a new documentary on the show airs on Channel 4 tonight and on Monday night, we learned that she took her own life shortly afterwards, leaving behind her 12-year-old daughter Laura.
Dymond's tragic death in May 2019 ultimately led to the downfall of the controversial ITV talk show.
His episode never aired on TV, though the goings on behind the scenes came under public scrutiny, with guests coming forward to expose the emotional turmoil they say they faced after agreeing to appear on the show.
ITV axed The Jeremy Kyle Show in May 2019 following Steve's death - though Erica's husband says: "I remember when I heard about Steve Dymond, I was in here watching Good Morning Britain.
"It's come on there that he'd died and they'd stopped the programme. I was like what the hell, they didn't stop the programme for my wife when she killed herself after being on the Jeremy Kyle Show. First year it started in October 2005. When my wife died they did nothing."
The documentary examines behind-the-scenes footage and personal accounts of those affected by appearances on the programme.
Among them are Erica's husband, neighbours and daughter, who describe her as being "vulnerable".
Her friends Fran and Tony Whitehead, 72 and 71, recall Erica happily telling them that she was going to be famous by appearing on the show, adding: "She was like a lamb to the slaughter".
Paul, 57, says: "Erica thought it would be a good day out to air some of her views on TV."
He recalls them both being separated as soon as she was driven to the studios until they got on the stage.
"They split you up straight away and they pump you up for ages - winding you up for hours," he says. "They were telling me to kick off... Jeremy Kyle asked Erica whether she wanted to split up with him and she said yes.
"When I got back I went away for a few days and we were going to talk about it on Friday but she was dead by the Thursday."
Becoming emotional, Paul says he "beats [himself] up" over what happened, explaining: "I blame myself every day for it. I killed her."
Laura, Erica's daughter, adds: "I just want people to know that Steve Dymond wasn’t the only person. They’ve been ruining lives since they started."
*The Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime airs Sunday and Monday at 9pm on Channel 4
- If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article please contact:
- Samaritans helpline 116 123
- Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48
- Pieta House on 1800 247 247
