The Jeremy Kyle Show AXED permanently by ITV after guest Steven Dymond died from overdose

The much loved ITV programe, “The Jeremy Kyle Show” has been permenatley cut by ITV after a guest who appeared on the show, Steve Dymond, 63, was found dead 10 days after failing a lie detector test on the chat show. JK was pulled off air on Monday as broadcast bosses worked frantically to come up with a final decision on its future. But ITV has now permanently scrapped the programme after uproar from Mr Dymond’s loved ones and horrified viewers. Carolyn McCall, ITV’s CEO, announced today: “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.”

Hampshire Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious. Downing Street called the death “deeply concerning”, and a former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said the show was “the theatre of cruelty”. An inquest into Mr Dymond’s death is likely to be opened within the next few days, a spokeswoman for Portsmouth coroner’s office said, and they are awaiting the result of the post-mortem investigation. Commenting on the case, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Broadcasters and production companies have a responsibility for the mental health and wellbeing of participants and viewers of their programmes. “We are clear they must have appropriate levels of support in place.”

Earlier today The Sun revealed how host Jeremy, 53, feared chiefs were looking for an excuse to axe his show for good. He had told friends he was afraid of being made a scapegoat for the tragedy. A source said: “Jeremy and those on the show are worried that this could be the nail in the coffin. “There’s been a groundswell of criticism since the news broke of Steve’s death, and there’s a feeling from people who work on the show that top bosses might decide to use the incident as a reason to change things around.” McCall, 57, put Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, in charge of the review of the tragedy. Insiders say she has never been a fan of the show.