The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Kyle ‘ambush’ hard to swallow for Fife man
Shock at treatment from controversial presenter
A Fife man who attempted the world record for the most Ferrero Rocher eaten in a minute claims he was ambushed by Jeremy Kyle and branded a benefits cheat.
James Boyd from Dunfermline – who also tried for a bizarre After Eights consumption record – says the daytime TV star used “defamatory words” towards him and is now seeking a payout from ITV.
He has written a formal complaint to the television channel after being interviewed for the show The Kyle Files last month.
The company says they have assured him he will be “treated fairly” should his interview be used.
Mr Boyd, who attempted the Ferrero Rocher stunt on Britain’s Got Talent, claims he travelled to Manchester in the belief he and his mother were to appear in the audience for separate show Judge Rinder.
He said: “I presented Mr Rinder with a present of haggis and Scottish oatcakes, but because Mr Rinder loves haggis we had our photo taken with the haggis as well.”
However, the day was to turn sour for the local celebrity who claims he was then subjected to a shock interview by Kyle, pictured, in a studio cafe.
He also claims the presenter turned his nose up at Scottish delicacies he had brought as gifts.
“My mother, who like me was a fan of Jeremy’s since he started on TV, had bought flowers in Manchester and I had bought haggis and Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers but he didn’t want this,” said Mr Boyd.
“I had rapid fire questioning without giving me a chance to respond with evidence which I had brought with me and had on the table in front of me to prove what I had done in my life so far, for example qualifications, voluntary work, charity work etc.
“But he wasn’t interested in this nor about my health, all he said was: ‘What have you done since 2002?’
“And I never got a chance to respond and all he kept on saying was ‘You’re a benefit cheat, never worked since 2002 and it is now 2015’.
“The situation has caused me a lot of shock, which I am still in, and so is my mum for watching what happened.”
Following the claims, an ITV spokesman said: “Mr Boyd has been in contact with the production team and the programme’s lawyer and has been reassured that if his interview is used he will be treated fairly.”
All he kept on saying was ‘You’re a benefit cheat, never worked since 2002’.
JAMES BOYD