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Dead 'Jeremy Kyle Show' guest branded 'abusive' and was wanted by police

Steven Dymond died shortly after appearing as a guest on 'The Jeremy Kyle Show' (Facebook)
Steven Dymond died shortly after appearing as a guest on 'The Jeremy Kyle Show' (Facebook)

Steven Dymond, the man whose death led to the axing of The Jeremy Kyle Show has been labelled “abusive” and a liar by his ex-wife.

Dianne Healing, 48, was married to Dymond for a short time 15 years ago and has told the MailOnline she is “celebrating” his death because she alleges he subjected her and her family to physical and emotional abuse.

Dymond, 63, was found dead from a suspected suicide just ten days after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show, which has now been cancelled by ITV and sparked a government inquiry into reality TV.

Read more: Jeremy Kyle breaks his silence over cancellation of show

Healing said: “I want people to know the truth. He was a prolific liar – to see people feeling sorry for him is horrible. What he did to me was horrendous.

“He was a bullying, controlling man who tried to take over my life and those of my children. What he put us through was hell.”

She went on: “I used to think he was a gentle giant when I first met him but it couldn't have been further from the truth. On one occasion, I was standing on the doorstep by the patio door at home and I was challenging him on his behaviour.

“He grabbed me around the shoulders and lifted me up as though I was as light as a feather and then hurled me onto the ground. From that moment on, I knew he wasn't to be trusted and I left him.”

Healing added: “My daughters and I have been distraught over him.

“We have spent the last 15 years terrified of him. We are relieved he is dead.

“I'm glad he's no longer here and I believe he took his own life because he was worried what was going to come out after he appeared on Jeremy Kyle.”

Kyle himself has finally broken his silence to admit he is “utterly devastated” about the cancellation of his talk show after 15 years.

'The Jeremy Kyle Show' has been taken off air after the death of a guest, just weeks after filming. (Credit: ITV)
'The Jeremy Kyle Show' has been taken off air after the death of a guest, just weeks after filming. (Credit: ITV)

The 53-year-old TV presenter said: “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.”

It has also emerged that police had a warrant out for Dymond’s arrest at the time of his death for failing to appear in court.

Read more: ITV to announce ‘Jeremy Kyle’ replacement in due course

Dymond had been due to appear before magistrates for failing to pay fines relating to previous convictions. The fines related back to two offences in 1997of taking a vehicle without consent and obtaining property by false representation.

The digger driver still owed over £4,300 he had been ordered to pay in compensation and when he failed to attend a hearing in February this year, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Dymond filmed an appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show on May 2 with his on/off longterm girlfriend Jane Callaghan and was labeled a “love cheat” after failing a lie detector test.

Miss Callaghan revealed Dymond had been diagnosed with depression in February but obtained a doctor’s note in order to take part in the show, insisting her would prove to her had remained faithful.

Read more: ‘Jeremy Kyle’s ‘most hated guest ever’ reveals suicide attempt

They split when he failed the lie detector test and ten days later he was found dead by his landlady from a suspected drug overdose.

MPs have now launched an inquiry into reality TV. The Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) will consider production companies’ duty of care to participants taking part in reality shows and explore whether enough support is offered both during and after filming.

ITV has also faced scrutiny over its support for reality show talent following the deaths of former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.

If you’ve been affected by this story and want to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123 or at jo@samaritans.org