Coroner finds no causal link in Jeremy Kyle guest's death

Steve Dymond died by suicide after filming for show in 2019

- LUKE O'REILLY

A coroner has ruled that The Jeremy Kyle Show's treatment of Steve Dymond was not a "contributory factor" in his death. A statement released on behalf of Jeremy Kyle said the presenter has been "exonerated" by the finding.

Dymond, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, took his own life seven days after filming for The Jeremy Kyle Show in May 2019. The 63-year-old became “distraught” after he failed a lie-detector test, which he had taken in the hope of proving that he had not cheated on his fiancee Jane Callaghan, from Gosport.

Coroner Jason Pegg said: “The deceased’s decision to take his own life was made in the context of his mental distress that was probably exacerbated by his belief that a significant relationship had now irretrievably broken down following his participation on a television programme where it had been suggested that the deceased had lied to his partner.”

Dismissing The Jeremy Kyle Show as a “direct cause of Steve Dymond’s distress”, Mr Pegg said: “It would be unsafe to infer these links in the absence of a clear and reliable causal connection. Steve Dymond’s participation in the show is one of a number of factors, and whilst possible that the manner of his experience added to his distress, it is not probable.

“The weight which can be attached to these accounts must be balanced with the other evidence available in the aftermath of the show, including Steve Dymond’s own reliability, the evidence from witnesses and the rush recordings. Aftercare records indicate Steve Dymond was ‘emotionally contained’ and expressed no dissatisfaction towards his treatment during the recording, with a plan for follow-up CBT support.”

Mr Pegg added: “At that time, The Jeremy Kyle Show was a wellknown show; the presentation style of Jeremy Kyle, which could be critical of guests, was known. Steve Dymond had viewed The Jeremy Kyle Show before and was aware of Jeremy Kyle’s presenter style.”