The heartbreaking final messages of Steve Dymond have been revealed. They were sent before he took his life after failing a lie detector test on The Jeremy Kyle show.
They form part of a probe into the alleged lack of care towards some guests and staff on the ITV show. Steve died of a suspected overdose aged 63 in 2019 after he was 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, The Mirror reports.
Read more: Sister plans moving tribute to 'caring' County Durham man on anniversary of his tragic death at 24
His final texts 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.”
The show had run for 14 years but ITV bosses axed it after the tragedy. At the time, Kyle said: “Myself and the production team are all utterly devastated by the recent events. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Steve’s family and friends.”
But a new Channel 4 documentary investigating the show says Steve’s episode, which never aired, would have humiliated him. A show worker tells the investigation: “I felt like I had blood on my hands. We felt like we killed someone.”
Steve’s landlady Shelley Thaxter, 58, who found his body, said: “Steve told me that when he was on this stage, Jeremy Kyle basically, laid into him, [saying] you’re a liar. He couldn’t get off the stage. It’s like a cat caught in the headlights.”
When she called programme makers to tell them about his death she claims their first reaction was to worry about losing their jobs.
Steve’s ex Jane tells the documentary she liked the show and has a tattoo of Kyle’s autograph on her arm. But later she says she is on medication because of what it did to her.
She said: “He had [expressed suicidal thoughts before] but he was always saying it. I feel so sorry for him, I didn’t think he would do it.”
All show guests were offered rehab. In unseen footage, shown on the documentary, Kyle is heard saying to colleagues: “They’re terrible f***ing guests. They’re as thick as s***.”
Channel 4 said: “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.”
ITV said: “The show had extensive, detailed duty of care processes in place for contributors built up over 14 years.
“Should they require ongoing help appropriate solutions were found. Due to the gravity of events in May 2019, ITV decided to end production of the show. It would not be appropriate to comment further on that in advance of the inquest 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 were aware of the nature of the show and the presenter’s style before taking part. All guests gave their informed consent, in writing, to take part.
“Since 2018 ITV has taken significant steps in relation to its duty of care of participants.”
* The two-part documentary Jeremy Kyle Show – Death on Daytime starts on Sunday at 9pm on Channel 4
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