Talk-show host Jeremy Kyle has spoken for the first time about the death of guest Steve Dymond, which saw his show cancelled by ITV after 14 years.
Mr Dymond died in May 2019 after being a guest on the Jeremy Kyle show - and failing a lie detector test.
An inquest is ongoing to determine how and why Mr Dymond died. It has been established that he suffered a fatal morphine overdose, while suffering from an underlying heart condition, days before his episode was scheduled to air.
In an interview with The Sun, Jeremy said: “The whole thing was a terrible tragedy — devastating for Steve Dymond’s friends and family.”
He said his show’s cancellation had a huge impact on the crew. Jeremy said: “A hundred people lost their jobs that day, and I felt truly awful for them too and worried for their futures. But I felt completely alone.
“When I was told they were cancelling it completely, my first reaction was a sort of incredulous shock, and then really just devastation. And then suddenly I felt like I was on the periphery of it.”
The star went on to explain his frustration at being “unable” to defend himself in the aftermath of his show’s cancellation - he is unable to publicly discuss the case in detail until the inquest has concluded.
Jeremy has been identified as an “interested person” by the coroner during the inquest.
But Jeremy said he will speak in full when it is 'appropriate'.
ITV took the decision to cancel The Jeremy Kyle Show the day after Mr Dymond’s death, reports The Mirror.
Carolyn McCall, ITV’s CEO, said in a statement at the time: “Given the gravity of recent events we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show.
“The Jeremy Kyle Show has had a loyal audience and has been made by a dedicated production team for 14 years, but now is the right time for the show to end.
“Everyone at ITV’s thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Steve Dymond.”
The Jeremy Kyle Show was cancelled on Friday 10 May – while the episode featuring Mr Dyson had been due to air the following Monday, but was replaced with an episode of Dickinson's Real Deal.
