“The Jeremy Kyle Show,” a popular British tabloid program, has been canceled after a guest died shortly after a taping.
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British broadcasting ITV announced the news Wednesday in a statement. The decision came after a guest, Steven Dymond, was found dead in an apparent suicide about a week after taping an episode on infidelity. During the show, Dymond, 63, was given a polygraph test to prove he hadn't been unfaithful to his fiancée, Jane Callaghan, but he failed. The couple later split.
Callaghan told The Sun newspaper the show's team was "really persistent in offering him help ... They were brilliant. They were there when we needed help."
But she said her fiancé “was quietly struggling and we didn’t know at the time. He cheated on me. I know he did. I can’t forgive but I just want him to be alive.”
As news of Dymond's death spread, many called for the show's cancellation, including several members of the Parliament, according to The Washington Post. Prime Minister Theresa May's office also weighed in, BBC News reported. The office wrote, "Broadcasters and production companies have a responsibility for the mental health and wellbeing of participants and viewers of their programmes."
After the widespread response, ITV pulled the plug.
"Given the gravity of recent events we have decided to end production of 'The Jeremy Kyle Show,' "Carolyn McCall, ITV's chief executive, said in a statement. "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 show was on the air for 14 years and coined as the British version of “The Jerry Springer Show.”
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Several viewers on Twitter commended the station’s decision to cancel the program, with some noting that the show’s content matter and format was rife for affecting guests with mental illness.
Others felt the decision was too harsh.
Some noted that other programs, like “Love Island” had not been canceled after reported deaths occurred after filming.
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