Jeremy Kyle show guest ‘felt thrown under bus’ before death, inquest hears

3 September 2024, 17:32 | Updated: 3 September 2024, 17:37

Steve Dymond, 63
Steve Dymond, 63. Picture: Facebook

By Henry Moore

A man who died of an overdose after appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show felt “thrown under the bus” by the programme, an inquest has heard.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Steve Dymond, 63, was found dead at his Portsmouth home in May 2019, just seven days after appearing on the controversial show.

As part of the ITV programme, Dymond took a lie detector test in a bid to prove he had not cheated on his ex-fiance Jane Callaghan, the episode was never aired.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday that Mr Dymond died at his home of a combination of morphine overdose and left ventricular hypertrophy in his heart.

Carl Woolley, son of Mr Dymond, gave evidence at the start of the hearing and said his father felt “thrown under the bus” by the show.

"My father was crying as he told me he had been on The Jeremy Kyle Show and that he had been deemed a liar right from the start," Mr Woolley said.

Read more: Pictured: Dog walker, 80, killed in Leicester 'just 30 seconds from home', as 5 children aged 12-14 arrested for murder

"He said he had been 'taken for a mug' and 'pounced on' by the presenter."

In his statement, Mr Woolley said he had told his father: "What did you expect going on a show like that?" But his father told him "he hadn't realised he would be made a mockery of".

"He told me he was 'made out to be a baddie'... and that no one had given him any chance to put his point across, and that Jeremy Kyle was constantly 'on him'. He said he felt he 'was thrown under a bus'."

Jeremy Kyle
Jeremy Kyle. Picture: Getty

He added that his father "was very upset, saying he was being called a liar, everyone had jumped on him, (he was) not with it at all".

Mr Woolley added he believed Jeremy Kyle “egged” the crowd on against his father and “cast him as a liar” before the show had even started.

On May 6 2019, Mr Dymond sent a WhatsApp to Ms Callaghan saying: "This will be the last time I say it, I was never, never ever unfaithful to you, in all the time we were together.

"I hope The Jeremy Kyle Show is so happy now, as to what they have done to me.

"I did lie about my past, but not about me being a cheat, I never ever did cheat on you.

"They are responsible for what happens now, I hope this makes good ratings for them, I bet they keep this quiet.

"Never did I cheat on you, never, never. My final words. I did try to explain to you, but you would not listen."

Extracts from a note he left for Ms Callaghan were read out in court in which Mr Dymond said: "I pushed and pushed for the Jeremy Kyle Show to prove to Jane I never ever did (cheat on her). But it all went wrong.

"I failed because I lied about my past. Now I have lost you forever."

There was no mention of Kyle himself in the letter.

Ms Callaghan said Jeremy Kyle was "a bit rude" to Mr Dymond when he appeared on the show.

Jeremy Kyle watches the racing on day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Jeremy Kyle watches the racing on day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. Picture: Getty

Asked if she had any concerns over Mr Kyle's behaviour, she told the inquest: "Jeremy was a bit rude to Steve... about 'didn't trust him with a chocolate button' and this was before the results. So yeah, he didn't know Steve, didn't know nothing about him, so it was a bit horrible."

The court heard that Mr Dymond asked to speak with Ms Callaghan immediately after the show while they were still at the studio.

"He was just saying, begging me, saying it was wrong, it's not right, it's not the truth, it's wrong, it's wrong," Ms Callaghan said.

She added that the pair left the studio separately and that Mr Dymond later continued to protest his innocence. She said: "He just kept saying that it was wrong, the lie detector was wrong.

"He was speaking to his brother on his phone and he just kept saying 'it's all wrong, it's all wrong', and then he just left.

"I wasn't communicating with him really. After that I just wanted him out of my life."

The inquest is set to continue on Wednesday

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Technology firms must tackle illegal content on their platforms under new rules, but there are concerns that the changes are too weak.

New Ofcom powers for online safety come into force as charities warn of 'major gaps' in legislation

The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.

US fights off Houthi drone attacks on aircraft carrier after Trump ramps up strikes on Yemen

Jack Draper of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark to win the Men's Singles Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025

Britain’s Jack Draper wins Indian Wells Open after beating Holger Rune in biggest title of his career

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

20 arrested including government officials after 59 killed in North Macedonia night club fire

Alton Towers' latest attraction, Toxicator, was forced to close on its opening day after a burst pipe caused a leak of brown liquid.

‘Nightmare day’ - New Alton Towers attraction ‘Toxicator’ forced to close on opening day after burst pipe

People sit on deckchairs on brown-coloured dry grass, in the sunshine in Hyde Park in central London

Parts of UK to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu next week as first day of spring looms

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, London.

Newcastle crowned Carabao Cup winners, taking home first major trophy in 70 years

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

‘You’re going to have to kill me’ - Kanye leaks chilling texts with Kim after involving daughter in Diddy scandal

Pilot Mike Beaton was sacked for snorting cocaine off a passengers breasts in 2023.

British Airways pilot back in the skies after snorting drugs off woman's breasts before flight

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn