Presenter Jeremy Kyle has arrived at court to give evidence at the inquest of a man who died after participating in his TV show.
Stephen Dymond is believed to have killed himself seven days after filming for the Jeremy Kyle Show in May 2019, after failing a lie detector test.
The 63-year-old had been accused of cheating on his ex-fiancee, Jane Callaghan, and had rung 40 to 50 times in “desperate” attempts to become a guest on the show, the inquest previously heard.
He had been diagnosed with a depressive disorder in 1995 and he had taken overdoses on four occasions.
Before his appearance, he had been “insisting” his GP wrote him a letter to say he was no longer depressed or taking his mental health medication so he could go on a television show.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
More pictures of TV host arriving at court
Holly Evans5 September 2024 11:28
Jeremy Kyle played no role in selecting guests, inquest hears
Chris Wissun, director of content compliance at ITV at the time, confirmed that Jeremy Kyle played no role in the selection of guests or had any role in the aftercare that was provided by the show.
Under questioning from Mr Kyle’s lawyer, Mr Wissun confirmed that the presenter would arrive for filming and would be provided with a briefing and a synopsis on each guest appearing on the show. These cards would highlight any points to avoid or to be approached gently.
Speaking of the card detailing Mr Dymond’s background, Neil Sheldon KC, representing Mr Kyle, said: “There’s nothing on the card to advise Mr Kyle that there are things he should be aware of or should change from his presenting style.”
The inquest heard that following the filming of the show and the results of the lie detector test, a casting researcher escorted Mr Dymond back to his room, where he was “crying quite a lot” and was “devastated”. The aftercare team provided by ITV spoke to him on three occasions in the immediate aftermath of the show.
Holly Evans5 September 2024 11:11
TV guest had repeatedly asked for letter to take on to the Jeremy Kyle show
During Wednesday’s hearing, the inquest heard that Mr Dymond was seen in March 2019 by his GP Dr Amjad Rehman, at the Rowner Health Centre in Gosport, who referred him “urgently” to the acute mental health care team as he had been having “suicidal thoughts” after splitting from Ms Callaghan.
Dr Rehman said Mr Dymond’s case was referred back to the community health team under his supervision, because he was deemed to be of “low risk of suicide” and had been experiencing a “reactive episode” to his relationship breakdown.
The inquest heard that Mr Dymond went into the surgery on April 9 and spoke to a staff member who recorded in notes that he was “desperate for a letter to take to the show”.
After telling him there was no GP available to speak to, the member of staff recorded: “He grabbed my hand and begged me to go and ask.”
He returned on a further two occasions, and on 29 April had “aggressively” asked for the letter “as a matter of life or death”, while his mood seemed to have improved.
The letter read to the inquest said: “I write to confirm that Mr Dymond is registered with this practice.
“Mr Dymond has a history of low mood and depression but his mood has improved since he got back together with his partner.
“I saw him for review at the surgery today and his mood has improved and he is not taking any anti-depressants at this time. I hope you will find this information helpful.”
Holly Evans5 September 2024 10:52
Jeremy Kyle arrives at Winchester Coroners Court
Presenter Jeremy Kyle has been seen arriving at Winchester Coroners Court to give evidence into the death of Stephen Dymond, who died seven days after appearing on his ITV show.
Holly Evans5 September 2024 10:28
ICYMI: Jeremy Kyle guest desperate to clear name called show ‘40 or 50 times’ to appear before death
A man believed to have killed himself after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show called the programme “40 or 50 times” in a desperate attempt to go on, the inquest into his death has heard.
Chris Wissun, who was an in-house lawyer and director of content compliance at ITV when Mr Dymond died, gave evidence at Winchester Coroners’ Court during the second day of the hearing on Wednesday.
While questioning Mr Wissun, counsel to the inquest Rachel Spearing said of Mr Dymond: “This was a man that had rung 40 or 50 times… was absolutely desperate to be on the show.”
Read the full article from my colleague Tara Cobham here:
Holly Evans5 September 2024 09:56
Welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to our live coverage as presenter Jeremy Kyle is scheduled to appear at Winchester Coroners’ Court to give evidence at the inquest of Stephen Dymond.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates here.
Holly Evans5 September 2024 09:42