Jeremy Kyle breaks his silence on ‘five years of hell’ after show axe as he opens up on ‘horrific’ breakdown
TELLY host Jeremy Kyle has broken his silence on “five years of hell” after his chat show was axed following the tragic death of a guest.
The former ITV anchor, 59, told how he had suffered a “horrific, complete breakdown” for two years after The Jeremy Kyle Show star Steve Dymond took his own life following an appearance on the programme.
The tragedy prompted an inquest into after Steve, 63, died by suicide at his Portsmouth home on May 9, 2019.
This came just a week after Steve’s appearance on the show, where he was urged by Jeremy to “grow a pair of balls.”
Yet in September, Jeremy told how “my name has finally been cleared” after it was deemed Steve’s show stint was not directly linked to his suicide.
The ruling by the coroner prompted a statement from the broadcaster and he has now opened up further on the huge toll of the incident on his mental health.
Humbled broadcaster Jeremy was prescribed antidepressant Citalopram in the wake of the tragedy – and the cancellation of his ITV daytime series.
He has now told of the outcome of the coroner report and said: “I was an easy target.
“We must never forget that a man died, but it’s been proven that was nothing whatsoever to do with me.
“It’s been five years of hell. But with the strength of this woman, I’m on the other side.”
Jeremy added to OK! Magazine: “For two years it was horrific, and I had a complete breakdown.
“It was Vicky [his wife] who dragged me out of bed. She saved me.”
He continued: “I’m not going to spend my life apologising for a show that 30,000 people came on and loved, and millions around the world watched.
“There’s a very sad postscript, but it’s been proven that wasn’t the show’s fault.”
TalkTV host Jeremy added: “I’m 60 next year and life feels like it’s starting again.
“Now we need to look ahead. I don’t want this to be my legacy – I want my legacy to be that I’m a great dad.”
Jeremy is a dad of five – but has ruled out having a sixth child.
Jeremy and wife Vicky welcomed daughter Iris back in January, sharing the first adorable picture of the tot.
STEVE’S TRAGEDY
Construction worker Steve appeared on the Jeremy Kyle Show in a bid to win back his ex-fiancée Jane Callaghan after she suspected him of cheating on her.
He denied being unfaithful, but failed a lie detector test. The footage was never broadcast.
Steve, who had a history of mental health issues and previously tried to take his own life on four occasions, overdosed seven days later.
After being rejected from the programme a month earlier over concerns for his wellbeing, he got a letter of good health from his GP and was constantly asking producers to let him appear — calling them up to 50 times.
Aftercare records showed he later showed no dissatisfaction with Jeremy or the ITV show about his treatment.
Jane also told them how much she enjoyed the show and how great Jeremy was.
But his heartbreaking death prompted the immediate cancellation of the show — the network’s most popular daytime programme — after 14 years.
It also lead to a parliamentary inquiry into the broadcaster’s treatment of reality show contestants.