ITV has begged media watchdog Ofcom for "more time" to investigate the death of a Jeremy Kyle Show guest.
Steven Dymond, 63, died from a fatal overdose after failing a love-cheat lie detector test on the since-axed programme.
He had split with his fiancée Jane Callaghan after the cheating claims were aired on the popular daytime chat show, with friends fearing he took his own life.
ITV axed the Jeremy Kyle Show in the wake of the tragedy, but it can be revealed the broadcaster has asked for more time to investigate.
The chief of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom today said the show had been asked to provide information within five working days as part of its investigation.
But Ofcom chief executive Sharon White told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee: "ITV have now asked for more time to complete their inquiries."
Steven's body had been found ten days after he appeared on the programme.
Since Steven's death, other guests have come forward to raise concerns over the lack of after care guests received since appearing on the show.
As well as the most recent tragedy with Steve Dymond, alarm bells were particularly rung with the two suicides, Love Island, some months after the broadcasts
Among them, pregnant mum Dawne Mair revealed how she was "intimidate" by the host after being labelled a "liar" in front of cameras.
A decorated veteran with PTSD also claimed he nearly killed himself after being branded a "disgrace" on the show.
Ofcom's Ms White said the watchdog had been "particularly concerned about what has happened to participants after" reality TV programmes.
She added: "As well as the most recent tragedy with Steve Dymond, alarm bells were particularly rung with the two suicides, Love Island, some months after the broadcasts."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
ITV has been accused of hypocrisy as viewers pointed out that they were still preparing to launch the new series of Love Island as planned despite two former Islanders taking their own life in the past year.
Producers for the ITV2 dating show have vowed to offer the stars and their families more welfare support after the death of Mike Thalassitis in March and Sophie Gradon last summer.
Sophie's own mother hit out at the Jeremy Kyle Show in the wake of Steven's death, saying: "Exploiting the susceptible, using someone unfairly for your own advantage, imposing on their vulnerability.
Kyle, on a £2million-a-year ITV contract, spoke out over Steven’s death, saying: "Myself and the production team are utterly devastated."
The Jeremy Kyle Show has been running on ITV since July 2005 with 16 seasons airing on a daytime schedule.
It often leads viewers divided with some questioning whether Jeremy Kyle helps his guests or subjects them to ridicule.
The presenter signed a new three-year contract with ITV worth a reported £2million a year in 2014, making him one of the country's highest-earning daytime hosts.
Source: Read Full Article