ITV has axed The Jeremy Kyle Show for good, the broadcaster has confirmed.
The daytime talkshow will not be returning to screens, following the death of a guest.
It was suspended from broadcast and production earlier this week, with ITV’s CEO Carolyn McCall now confirming the decision has been made to pull the show from the schedule altogether.
She said in a statement on Wednesday: “Given the gravity of recent events we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show.
“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.
“Everyone at ITV’s thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Steve Dymond.”
The death of 63-year-old Dymond came after he took a lie-detector test during the recording of the show, just over a week ago.
He had appeared on the programme to convince fiancee Jane Callaghan he had not been unfaithful, but they split after he failed the test.
The Jeremy Kyle Show is a main-stay of the ITV daytime schedule, having aired each weekday since 2005.
It has been a huge ratings success for the channel, attracting around a million viewers per episode, making it the channel’s highest-rated daytime show.
However, it has come under a lot of scrutiny during its time on air, with one judge notably branding it “human bear-baiting” in 2007, following an incident in which one guest head-butted another.
Following the death of Dymond, bosses suspended the show on Monday while a review of his episode – which has not aired – was launched.
ITV has confirmed the review will still continue following the show’s cancellation.
On Tuesday, they insisted their care processes were “significant and detailed” as they issued a full statement on their procedures in light of mounting pressure for the show to be axed.
Meanwhile, ITV has said they will “continue to work with Jeremy Kyle on other projects”.
Reacting to the news, This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield also confirmed on air that there’s currently “no indication yet what will replace Jeremy’s show in the future”.
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.