Jeremy Kyle Show: MPs condemn ITV for ‘failure of responsibility’ over treatment of guests

Talk show subjected participants to 'humiliation, denigration and provocation' for purpose of entertainment, committee says

MPs have condemned ITV for a “corporate failure of responsibility” over producers’ treatment of guests on The Jeremy Kyle Show.

Participants on the tabloid talk show were “exploited” for the “purpose of entertainment,” said members of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

The panel viewed behind-the-scenes footage from the programme, which was produced by the broadcaster’s company ITV Studios, as part of a wider investigation into reality television.

The daytime TV show, which was cancelled in May following the death of a guest, featured members of the public attempting to resolve sensitive issues such as extramarital affairs, addiction and familial conflicts.

“It is clear that once the cameras started rolling on The Jeremy Kyle Show there was no safe space for anyone in a highly distressed state, verified by the behind-the-scenes footage passed to the committee by a whistleblower,” said Damian Collins, the committee’s chair.

The footage seen by the committee showed guests were filmed backstage and in dressing rooms and “makes a mockery of the ‘aftercare’ [ITV] has claimed to provide,” the panel said.

Kyle was seen using “abusive language” which “could be edited out of the broadcasted show,” it added.

Expert advisers who viewed the footage and were also deeply concerned by the level of “humiliation, denigration and provocation that a participant is subjected to”.

“We’ve seen one contributor who was extremely upset take refuge backstage only to have a camera thrust in his face to capture him holding his head in his hands,” Mr Collins said.

“We’ve also seen how Jeremy Kyle would use provocative and sometimes abusive language towards participants in the show, and that this could be edited out of the broadcasted show.”

Kyle was asked to appear before the committee but did not do so.

Mr Collins said: ”The overriding concern of the reality TV inquiry has been to examine the production companies’ duty of care towards people who take part, often at an extremely vulnerable point in their lives.

“We’ve shown this recording to expert advisers who are deeply concerned at ITV’s apparent failure to prioritise the welfare of participants over the demands of the show, exploiting their vulnerability for the purpose of entertainment.

“What we’ve seen demonstrates a failure on the part of ITV Studios in its responsibility towards contributors and makes a mockery of the ‘aftercare’ it has claimed to provide.”

ITV said it could not comment on the “accusations” because it had not seen the footage passed to the committee by the whistleblower.

A spokeswoman added: “ITV cancelled The Jeremy Kyle Show in May. We have since made clear that we will not bring back The Jeremy Kyle Show, or any other show resembling its format.

“The participation of the public in television programmes has been right at the heart of TV since it began.

“We believe that these shows are all the better for the talent, energy and diversity of the members of the public who take part in them and we are committed to continuing to ensure that their welfare is also at the heart of what we do.

The Jeremy Kyle Show was first broadcast on ITV in July 2005, effectively replacing Trisha Goddard’s chat show.

Love Island, another popular ITV show, has also come under scrutiny after the deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.

Additional reporting by agencies