ITV axe The Jeremy Kyle Show following the death of a guest

ITV have announced that production of The Jeremy Kyle Show will be cancelled with immediate effect...

ITV have announced this morning that The Jeremy Kyle show has been axed after a guest died shortly after appearing on the programme.

The guest, Steve Dymond, 63, was found dead on the 9th May after reportedly taking a lie detector test on the daytime show.

ITV had initially suspended the confrontational talk show on Monday after news of Mr Dymond's death emerged.

ITV's CEO, Carolyn McCall, gave a statement today, announcing that the channel had made the decision to take the show off air permanently...

"Given the gravity of recent events, we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show," she said.

"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."

ITV have also withdrawn all episodes of the programme from the catch up service, ITV Hub.

Earlier this week ITV had announced that it had suspended filming and broadcasting of the show, and that the episode featuring Mr Dymond was being reviewed and would never be aired.

Carolyn McCall added: "The previously announced review of the episode of the show is under way and will continue.

"ITV will continue to work with Jeremy Kyle on other projects."

The The Jeremy Kyle Show was the most-watched programme in ITV's daytime schedule, with over one million viewers tuning in each day.

Following Mr Dymond's death, ITV issued a statement about the support that is in place for guests who appear on the programme.

"Prior to the show, a comprehensive assessment is carried out by the guest welfare team on all potential contributors.

"The guests are interviewed by guest welfare face-to-face at the studios and prior to filming.

"After filming has ended, all guests are also seen by a member of the guest welfare team."

Main pic: ITV/REX/Shutterstock

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.