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  • February 11, 2025
Jeremy Kyle breaks his silence on ‘five years of hell’ after show ax as he opens up about ‘horrific’ breakdown

Jeremy Kyle breaks his silence on ‘five years of hell’ after show ax as he opens up about ‘horrific’ breakdown

TELLY presenter Jeremy Kyle has broken his silence on ‘five years of hell’ after his chat show was axed following the tragic death of a guest.

The former ITV presenter, 59, told how he had a ‘horrific, complete breakdown’ for two years after the Jeremy Kyle Show star Steve Dymond took his own life after a performance on the program.

Jeremy Kyle has opened up about 'five years of hell' after his ITV chat show was axed following the death of a guest

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Jeremy Kyle has opened up about ‘five years of hell’ after his ITV chat show was axed following the death of a guestCredit: PA
Steve Dymond tragically took his own life in 2019 after appearing on the ITV daytime series

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Steve Dymond tragically took his own life in 2019 after appearing on the ITV daytime seriesCredit: Solent
The broadcaster told of his 'horrific' breakdown after the tragedy

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The broadcaster told of his ‘horrific’ breakdown after the tragedyCredit: Dan Charity

The tragedy prompted an investigation afterward Steve63, died by suicide at his home in Portsmouth on May 9, 2019.

This came just a week after Steve’s appearance on the show, where he was urged by Jeremy to ‘grow some balls’.

Still, in September Jeremy shared how “my name has finally been cleared” after it was believed that Steve’s show stint was not directly related to his suicide.

The coroner’s ruling prompted a statement from the broadcaster and he has now spoken out further about the huge toll the incident has had on his mental health.

Humble presenter Jeremy was prescribed the antidepressant Citalopram in the wake of the tragedy and the cancellation of his ITV daytime series.

He has now opened up about the outcome of the coroner’s report, saying: ‘I was an easy target.

“We should never forget that a man died, but it has been proven that it had nothing to do with me.

“It’s been five years of hell. But with the strength of this woman, I will be on the other side.”

Jeremy added OK! Magazine: “It was horrible for two years and I had a complete breakdown.

“It was Vicky (his wife) who dragged me out of bed. She saved me.”

My conscience is clear about Steve Dymond, says Jeremy Kyle as he opens up in exclusive interview

He continued: “I’m not going to spend my life apologizing for a show that 30,000 people came to see and millions of people around the world watched.

“There is a very sad postscript, but it has been proven that this was not the show’s fault.”

TalkTV presenter Jeremy added: “I’m turning 60 next year and life feels like it’s starting over again.

“Now we have to look forward. I don’t want this to be my legacy – I want my legacy to be that I am a great father.”

Jeremy is a father of five, but he’s done that too ruled out that there would be a sixth child.

Jeremy and wife Vicky welcomed daughter Iris in January, when I shared the toddler’s first adorable photo.

STEVE’S TRAGEDY

Construction worker Steve appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show in an attempt to win back his ex-fiancée Jane Callaghan after she suspected him of cheating on her.

He denied being unfaithful but failed a lie detector test. The footage was never broadcast.

Steve, who had a history of mental health problems and previously attempted suicide four times, overdosed seven days later.

After being rejected from the program a month earlier due to concerns about his welfare, he received a letter of good health from his GP and continually asked producers to let him appear – calling them up to 50 times.

Aftercare records showed he later showed no dissatisfaction with Jeremy or the ITV show about his treatment.

Jane also told them how much she enjoyed the show and how great Jeremy was.

But his heartbreaking death led to the immediate cancellation of the show – the channel’s most popular daytime program – after 14 years.

It also led to a parliamentary inquiry into the broadcaster’s treatment of reality show participants.

Steve sadly took his own life seven days after filming for the program in May 2019

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Steve sadly took his own life seven days after filming for the program in May 2019Credit: PA
In September, a coroner ruled that there was no direct link between the show and the suicide

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In September, a coroner ruled that there was no direct link between the show and the suicide
Jeremy, 59, has said he now wants to focus on being a great dad

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Jeremy, 59, has said he now wants to focus on being a great dadCredit: The Sun