Jeremy Kyle Show: Son of guest who died after filming blames host for ‘really laying into his dad’

Steve Dymond was found dead days after failing a lie detector test on the confrontational talk show

A man found dead days after appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show told his son the presenter “really laid into me”.

Steve Dymond, 63, went on the programme earlier this month to prove to his fiancee Jane Callaghan that he had been faithful.

However the building machinery operator was left “distraught” by the breakdown of their relationship after he failed a lie detector test.

Referring to his father by his first name, his son Carl Woolley, 39, told the Daily Mail: “Steve told me ‘Kyle really laid into me’. Presumably that was at the point when they announced the lie detector result.”

A week later, on 9 May, Mr Dymond was found dead in the room he had been renting in Portsmouth since splitting with Ms Callaghan.

On Wednesday, ITV announced it had permanently cancelled the controversial talk show after 14 years.

Mr Woolley, a health and safety advisor, was reportedly contacted by a concerned relative after Mr Dymond was left in a highly emotional state after the episode was filmed last month.

The father of three had not spoken to his father for seven years and had not seen him for 36 years.

“I called after he got home from filming the episode,” Mr Wooley said.

“He was distraught over the break-up of the relationship. He had gone on the show solely to clear his name but he said it had gone wrong because of the lie detector test.”

On Tuesday, Downing Street and culture secretary Jeremy Wright said TV firms must support participants in their shows.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “This is a deeply concerning case.

ITV’s MediaCityUK studios in Salford, Greater Manchester. (AFP/Getty Images)

“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.”

ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall addressed the issue in an email to staff.

She said: “This was a very difficult decision to make but we felt that it would be inappropriate to continue to broadcast the show when a participant on it has so recently died.

“This decision is not in any way a reflection on the show, but the best way we think we can protect the show and the production team from this reaction we expect to this death.”

An ITV spokesperson added: “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 studios and prior to filming.

“Throughout filming, the participants are supported by the guest welfare team.

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

Jeremy Kyle was filmed near his home in Windsor on Wednesday, although is yet to comment personally.

Hampshire Police said Mr Dymond’s death was not being treated as suspicious and that a file was being prepared for the coroner.