Jeremy Kyle Show guest Steve Dymond died of a morphine overdose, inquest told
Steve Dymond was worried about repercussions and rumours about him after he recorded an episode of the ITV show last year.
Friday 3 July 2020 13:46, UK
A Jeremy Kyle Show guest who was found dead shortly after attending a recording of the show died of a morphine overdose and heart problem, a pre-inquest review has heard.
Steve Dymond, a 63-year-old construction worker from Portsmouth, had gone on the programme to take part in a lie detector test to show he had not been cheating on his fiancee, Jane Callaghan, from whom he had recently split.
After the 9 May recording, he said he was worried about the repercussions of the show and the subsequent rumours, and Detective Sergeant Marcus Mills, of Hampshire Police, told a previous inquest hearing that the death was a suspected suicide.
Hampshire Coroner Jason Pegg told the hearing that the cause of Mr Dymond's death was a morphine overdose and left ventricular hypertrophy, which is when the left chamber of the heart is not pumping properly.
But Mr Pegg, who was speaking via video-link, was forced to abandon the hearing because of technical difficulties.
Media and members of the public, including Ms Callaghan and Mr Dymond's cousin, Gerald Brierley, were unable to hear the proceedings, which were being relayed by telephone.
Mr Pegg said: "It's inappropriate to continue. It is necessary for the pre-inquest review to be heard in public and, when people dialling in cannot hear proceedings in full, it's not a public hearing."
The case was adjourned for a further review hearing on 29 or 30 October.
The hearing had been attended by counsel for Mr Dymond's family, ITV, Southern Health and Mr Dymond's GP.
The Jeremy Kyle Show was axed amid growing scrutiny of the duty of care that reality TV shows have to participants following the death of Mr Dymond and former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.
Media watchdog Ofcom is currently revising and expanding a proposed set of rules to protect the welfare of participants on TV and radio shows.
It is carrying out a consultation over changes to the Broadcasting Code, which will safeguard participants in reality shows, documentaries, talent contests and other forms of factual and entertainment programmes.
A 29-page report published on 13 March proposes the expansion of Section 7 of the Code, about Fairness and Privacy, and the creation of a "risk matrix" to help broadcasters assess what level of care participants might need.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.