Reality TV probe after Kyle show cancelled
● ITV pulls plug on controversial show after death of guest sparks furore
MPs are to investigate whether production companies offer enough sup - port to participants on reality TV programmes following the death of a guest who had taken part in the Jeremy Kyle Show.
ITV yesterday said “now is the right time” for the confrontational show to end as it was permanently axed in the wake of Steve Dymond’s death a week after a programme featuring him was filmed.
The House of Commons digital, cultural, media and sport committee will now consider production companies’ duty of care.
ITV has said “now is the right time” for the Jeremy Kyle Show to end as it was permanently axed following the death of a guest.
The confrontation al talk show was suspended indefinitely by the broadcaster on Monday following the death of a participant ,63- year-old Steve Dymond, a week after a programme featuring him was filmed.
The programme, which had been a regular fixture in the TV schedule since 2005, has now ended for good following calls for it to be cancelled from MPS and members of the public. Following the cancellation of the daytime show, MPS launched an inquiry into reality TV.
The Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee( DC MS) will consider production companies’ duty of care to participants taking part in reality shows and explore whether enough support is offered both during and after filming.
I TV has also faced sc ru tiny over its support for reality show talent following the deaths of former Love Island contestants Sophie G radon and Mike Thalassitis.
DCMS committee chairman Damian Collins said ITV “has made the right decision to permanently cancel the Jeremy Kyle Show”, but “that should not be the end of the matter”.
In a statement, he said: “There needs to be an inde - pen dent review of the duty of care TV companies have to participants in reality TV shows and the D CMS select committee has decided to hold an inquiry this summer into these issues.
“Programmes like the Jeremy Kyle Show risk putting people who might be vulnerable on to a public stage at a point in their lives when they are unable to foresee the consequences, either for themselves or their families.
“This kind of TV featuring members of the public attracts viewing figures in the millions but in return for ratings, the broadcasters must demon - strate their duty of care to the people whose personal lives are being exposed.
“With an increasing demand for this type of programming, we’ll be examining broadcasting regulation in this area - is it fit for purpose?”
IT V chief executive Dame Carolyn Mccall announced yesterday morning that the show had been officially cancelled“given the gravity of recent events”.
She said in a statement: “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.”