'Jeremy Kyle Show' counsellor Graham Stanier says many benefited from programme

The Jeremy Kyle Show crew member Graham Stanier has spoken out in its defence, insisting many people benefited from the show.

The trained counsellor acted as director of aftercare on the show, which was axed after 14 years by ITV in May 2019 after guest Steve Dymond died a week after failing a lie detector test filmed for the reality show.

Stanier wrote on social media: "Many people benefited from the ‘After Care’ service provided by the JK show and there were also many who benefited and didn’t appear on the show.

Read more: Jeremy Kyle documentary viewers disgusted by 'bullying and exploitation' claims

"Some used the service as a helpline and in some cases a few were provided with a free residential treatment programme by a generous service provider.

"The service had a positive impact on many peoples lives and in some cases those who’s [sic] needs are often unheard and ignored within our society were acknowledged and heard by the aftercare team."

He shared the post alongside a quote from Martin Luther King Jr which reads, "Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"

He claimed The Jeremy Kyle Show's aftercare service provided hundreds of residential treatment programmes for guests with addiction issues and referred thousands of guests for counselling.

Stanier also claimed the show tackled issues of homophobia, transphobia, racism, domestic abuse and childhood trauma.

He was apparently reacting to the recently aired Channel 4 documentary Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime which claimed guests were lied to, baited and manipulated in order to provoke them into fighting on the show.

In 2019, following Dymond's death, Kyle declined to appear before an inquiry by the Committee for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

In his absence Stanier appeared and admitted he had been uncomfortable with Kyle's presenting style on the show.

He told MPs: “It’s not the behaviour I would employ. That’s a really black and white statement, saying somebody is a liar.

“That is the presenter’s style. I’m responsible for me and my behaviour I can’t be responsible for the presenter’s behaviour.

“I’m responsible for me and for the guests. Responsibility for the presenter lies with the production.”

Kyle said this week: "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."

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

At a preliminary hearing of the inquest into the death of Dymond, the coroner named Kyle as an "interested person" who, "may have caused or contributed to the death of Stephen Dymond”.

The full inquest into Dymond's death is due to take place at on 28 March.

Watch: Jeremy Kyle has said he will tell his story when the inquest is concluded