Kyle called to speak to MPs about effects of reality television shows
JEREMY KYLE has been asked to appear before MPs who have launched an investigation into concerns surrounding the effects that reality television is having on participants.
ITV axed The Jeremy Kyle Show in May, following the death of participant Steve Dymond, and the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched the inquiry into reality TV.
Senior ITV executives will be the first to give evidence to the probe, but the DCMS Committee chairman Damian Collins said Kyle had been invited to take part and has been given until Thursday to respond.
The Tory MP said. “As someone who was at the centre of this longrunning show, we believe that his perspective on reality TV will be of particular value to our inquiry.”
MPs will question ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall, chairman Sir Peter Bazalgette, and director of content compliance Chris Wissun on June 25.
The inquiry will invite a range of former participants and programme-makers to give evidence over the coming months.
Mr Dymond, 63, died after reportedly failing a love-cheat lie-detector test on Kyle’s confrontational daytime show. The construction worker was found in his room in Portsmouth on May 9 after splitting from on-off fiancée Jane Callaghan.
Love Island has returned to ITV2 after coming under increased scrutiny over the show’s aftercare following the deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.
ITV announced an enhanced duty of care process for participants, including a minimum of eight therapy sessions for contestants.