Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KYLE ACCUSED OVER DEATH OF TV GUEST
He may ‘have caused or contributed’ to suicide, coroner says
FORMER talk show host Jeremy Kyle may have “caused or contributed’ to the suicide of one of his guests, a coroner said yesterday.
Steve Dymond was found dead at his home in May last year just seven days after appearing on the controversial programme – which ITV swiftly axed.
The 63-year-old, who was under mental health care, was said to have become “distressed” after failing a lie detector test he had expected to prove his fidelity to ex-fiancee Jane Callaghan.
At a pre-inquest review Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, for the family, said the audience “booed and jeered” him and he was called “a failure” by Kyle – who was “in his face” while he was heckled.
Coroner Jason Pegg said he intends to call Kyle as a witness and has made him an “interested person” as he “may have caused or contributed to the death”. He added: “It might seem ludicrous not to have Mr Kyle to give evidence.”
Mr Dymond was originally turned down as a guest but accepted after getting a letter from his doctor. Ms Gallagher said he hoped to clear his name on cheating claims and had said: “It all went wrong.”
She said Mr Dymond tried to leave by a side door but it was locked, a d din g : “He c oul dn’t escape the heckling. He was on his hands and knees because he thought he was going to pass out from the stress.” She said the crew knew his state of mind and a message in a Whatsapp group said: “He’s still crying, he just said he wishes he was dead.”
Ms Gallagher added: “While still on the [show], within minutes he was talking about wishing he was dead.” She said Mr Dymond called brother Leslie and was taken home by taxi. Leslie said in a statement: “He seemed broken and frightened, and told me he couldn’t go on living.”
The inquest heard Kyle, 55, got briefing notes on Mr Dymond and made reference in the show to him stopping his medication.
Mr Pegg said: “It’s relevant to investigate Mr Dymond’s assessment to be on the programme, his participation and his response, and the aftercare. The inquest is going to include his participation in the [show] and his engagement with Mr Kyle – that is going to have a bearing on the witnesses necessary for the inquest.” Mr Dymond was found dead of a morphine overdose and a heart problem in Portsmouth, Hants, on May 9, 2019.
Kyle’s lawyer, Neil Sheldon QC, questioned the need to probe the “factual narrative leading up to his death” and to involve Kyle, as there was footage of his contact with Mr Dymond.
Kyle’s involvement will be confirmed or rejected at a future hearing. Mr Pegg also added a jury would not be required for the full hearing, set for the summer.
The family said in a statement: “We welcome the coroner’s decision. Having recognised in July Jeremy Kyle ought to be an interested person, today’s confirmation that how Steve came to be on the show, how he was treated and the aftercare will form part of the inquest, gives us confidence Steve’s death will be fully and fearlessly investigated.”
He seemed broken, frightened, and told me he couldn’t go on living LESLIE DYMOND ON HIS BROTHER’S SHOW ORDEAL