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Jeremy Kyle documentary viewers disgusted by 'bullying and exploitation' claims

'The Jeremy Kyle Show' was axed in May following the death of a guest (Credit: ITV)
'The Jeremy Kyle Show' was axed in 2019 following the death of a guest (ITV)

Viewers of Channel 4's shocking documentary about the axed Jeremy Kyle Show have expressed their anger and disgust at how guests on the ITV programme were treated.

Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime looked at the tactics used to get guests to argue on the chat show and how the experience affected their lives, as well as those of the show's staff, airing its second part on Channel 4 on Monday night.

Read more: Jeremy Kyle vows to give details on what happened with axed show

People watching the documentary found it tough to hear from loved ones of guests who had taken their own lives or suffered extreme mental health effects after being signed up to take part in the ITV show which was cancelled in May 2019 after guest Steve Dymond's death.

A Channel 4 documentary has been lifting the lid on the cancelled production. (ITV)
A Channel 4 documentary has been lifting the lid on the cancelled production. (ITV)

Many of those watching pointed out the guests were almost exclusively working class, disadvantaged or vulnerable.

One person tweeted: "I’m sick of poor people being treated like their lives mean nothing. Meritocracy is a myth. The biggest scroungers in the UK are those with posh voices, many are in ministerial positions taking thousands in expenses. Jeremy Kyle is a piece of s***."

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Someone else agreed: "The Jeremy Kyle show exploited vulnerable people for entertainment. I still can't believe it took for someone to die for it to get cancelled. He was a horrible bully."

Another appalled viewer wrote: "This Jeremy Kyle documentary #DeathOnDaytime has made my skin crawl This type of ‘entertainment’ dehumanised vulnerable people, ruined lives and put people in unsafe situations I can’t believe this was acceptable for so long."

Editorial use only.Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (7944782e).Jeremy Kyle.'The Jeremy Kyle Show' TV Series - 2016.The Jeremy Kyle Show helps the public get to grips with real-life issues, ranging from indiscretions and infidelities to fetishes and flirting, in a show that brings real-life issues and dilemmas for Jeremy to deal with.
Viewers were shocked by accounts of behind the scenes behaviour. (ITV/Shutterstock)

Someone else commented: "Jeremy Kyle is a disgraceful human being. The contempt he invariably showed people who appeared on his "show" was palpable. He made a fortune out of human misery."

One person pointed out the stark difference in presenter Kyle's own background, tweeting: "Jeremy Kyle is from a privileged background. His father was the queen mother's private secretary. His contempt for the guests was real."

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Many people also admitted to guilt at having watched the ITV show when it was on air.

One person tweeted: "Feeling pretty guilty that I used to watch Jeremy Kyle. I genuinely thought the people on the show were like that. I guess I never questioned the show as it felt trustworthy being tucked between Lorraine and This Morning."

Jeremy Kyle has claimed there are 'two sides to every story'. (PA)
Jeremy Kyle has claimed there are 'two sides to every story'. (PA)

Kyle, 56, did not offer a comment to the Channel 4 documentary but said on Monday on his talkRADIO show: "I have said that I will not comment on the tragic death of Steve Dymond until the legal process has finished and that is the position that I will maintain.

"And when, and trust me there will be a time after the inquest, when it is right and proper for me to have my say. Because of course, there are two sides to every single story."

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ITV offered a lengthy statement shown at the end of the documentary, which in part read: "The show had a dedicated guest welfare team of mental healthcare professionals. Guests were supported prior to filming, throughout filming and after filming.

"ITV does not accept the central allegation of this programme of a ‘bad culture’ within the production team. ITV would never condone any of its production staff misleading or lying to guests."

Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime concludes tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org

Watch: Jeremy Kyle breaks silence on losing ITV show