There was 'no causal link' between the appearance of Steve Dymond on The Jeremy Kyle Show and his death, an inquest has ruled.

Mr Dymond, from Hampshire, took his own life seven days after filming for the ITV programme in May 2019.

The 63-year-old became “distraught” after he failed a lie detector test for the ITV show which he had taken in the hope of proving that he had not cheated on his fiancee Jane Callaghan, from Gosport.

READ MORE: What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Dismissing The Jeremy Kyle Show as a “direct cause of Steve Dymond’s distress” on Tuesday, September 10, coroner Jason Pegg said: “These accounts are not supported with any independent expert evidence to evaluate the impact of his treatment on the show.

“It would be unsafe to infer these links in the absence of a clear and reliable causal connection.

“Steve Dymond’s participation in the show is one of a number of factors, and whilst possible that the manner experience added to his distress it is not probable.

“The weight which can be attached to these accounts must be balanced with the other evidence available in the aftermath of the show including Steve Dymond’s own reliability, the evidence from witnesses and the rush recordings.

“Aftercare records indicate Steve Dymond was ’emotionally contained’ and expressed no dissatisfaction towards his treatment during the recording with a plan for follow-up CBT support.”

Coroner Jason Pegg gave a conclusion of “suicide”, saying he was suffering from “mental distress” at the belief that his relationship had “irretrievably broken down”.

Mr Pegg said: “The deceased’s decision to take his own life was made in the context of his mental distress that was probably exacerbated by his belief that a significant relationship had now irretrievably broken down following his participation on a television programme where it had been suggested that the deceased had lied to his partner.”

He added that Mr Dymond had left notes for his family and said: “There is nothing in those notes where Mr Dymond is critical of his treatment by the show.”

The coroner further said there was “insufficient evidence” to conclude whether or not Steve Dymond lied during his lie detector test

Mr Pegg continued: "The lie detector test recorded that Steve had provided an untruthful response to all questions asked of him.

“The expert evidence within the recording noted that a failure to one question may result in failure of them all.

“There is insufficient evidence for me to be satisfied whether or not Steve had indeed lied during the lie detector test.”

Jeremy Kyle has described how the “false accusations” against him since Steve Dymond’s death had taken a “huge toll on him and his family”.

In a statement released after the inquest, he said: “His Majesty’s Coroner has today clearly and unequivocally found that Jeremy Kyle did not in any way cause or contribute to the tragic suicide of Steve Dymond. He is now exonerated of that ill-informed accusation and his name has finally been cleared.

“Out of respect for the family of Mr Dymond and the judicial process, Jeremy has always maintained that it would be inappropriate to discuss details whilst the legal inquest was ongoing and he has remained steadfastly silent in the face of lies, false accusations and unfair criticism over the last 5 1/2 years.

“This has taken a huge toll on him and his family and he would like to thank everyone who has truly supported him through these tough times.”

Mr Dymond’s son Carl Woolley said the “only good thing” that had come from his father’s death was that the Jeremy Kyle Show was cancelled.

In a statement read outside the inquest by one of the family’s solicitors, Mr Woolley said: “It has been five years since my father died.

“In my view anyone watching the clips of the show would see that he was in tears, and spoken to in the most brutal way by Jeremy Kyle.

“The coroner has recorded that the lie detector test, in which Jeremy Kyle believes in so strongly, can have an accuracy of 60-96%.

“The only good thing that came from my father’s death is that the Jeremy Kyle Show is cancelled.”

ITV said in a statement following the inquest that it is “committed to continuing to evolve and strengthen the care” of guests on its shows.

The broadcaster said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to those close to Mr Dymond and recognise how difficult the inquest and the past five years have been for them.

“The coroner did not find any causal link between Steve Dymond’s appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show and his death.

“In the coroner’s findings of fact, he confirmed that the Jeremy Kyle Show had comprehensive duty of care processes covering the selection of contributors who appeared on the show and their care both during and after filming.

“The coroner described how these processes were followed with Steve Dymond, including the offer of follow up cognitive behavioural therapy support.

“ITV is committed to continuing to evolve and strengthen the care given to all those who take part in our shows, which we believe set industry leading standards for the selection, protection and support of participants.”