Jeremy Kyle has refused to give evidence at MPs’ inquiry into reality TV.
The presenter was asked to appear before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee next week, following the end of his ITV talk show, after the death of a guest.
However, the Chairman of the DCMS, has revealed he has declined their invitation.
Damian Collins told MPs on Tuesday: “We believe that Jeremy Kyle himself should be an important witness to that as the show is based around him as the lead presenter of it.
“We have sent an invitation to Mr Kyle through his representatives.
“And we have received word back from them that he has declined to appear in front of the committee on Tuesday next week.”
Senior ITV executives are still set to appear before the parliamentary committee to give evidence.
The DCMS announced it would be conducting an independent review of care processes on reality shows last month, shortly after ITV made the decision to axe The Jeremy Kyle Show.
The investigation aims to establish what psychological support production companies and broadcasters are currently offering participants, how these can be improved, where responsibility lies in providing these services, and what the future holds for reality TV.
After 14 years on air, Kyle’s controversial talk show was pulled following the death of a participant.
Steve Dymond, 63, died around a week after reportedly failing a love-cheat lie-detector test during filming.
The construction worker was found in his room in Portsmouth on May 9 after splitting from on-off fiancée Jane Callaghan, an inquest into his death later heard.
Kyle has only publicly addressed the matter once in a statement issued shortly after his show’s cancellation.
He said at the time: “Myself and the production team I worked with for the last 14 years are all utterly devastated by the recent events.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Steve’s family at this incredibly sad time.”