Jeremy Kyle guest lay dead for days from overdose after failing lie detector test as host seen for first time since show axed
Steve Dymond, 63, sent a tragic final text to his ex-partner Jane saying: 'I just wanted to say sorry before I go'
A JEREMY Kyle guest who died of an overdose after failing a lie detector test had been dead for days before his body was found, it has been revealed.
Steve Dymond, 63, went on the ITV show to convince fiancée Jane Callaghan he had not been unfaithful, but they split after he failed the polygraph. Pals fear Steve took his own life.
His heartbroken ex told The Sun she feared he took a fatal overdose of prescription arthritis medication, ten days after they recorded an episode of the show.
Tragically, South Central Ambulance officials confirmed he had been dead for "a number of days" before his body was found at a Portsmouth flat on May 9.
Since news of Steve's death emerged, ITV has halted filming and pre-production on future episodes of Jeremy Kyle and pulled past epodes from the ITV Hub on demand service while a review is held.
Today Kyle - who has said he's shocked and saddened by the tragedy - was spotted for the first time since Steve's death as he returned to his home in Berkshire.
SHOCKED AND SADDENED
Earlier today a leaked email revealed the decision to suspend the show was to "protect its future".
The message, seen by Buzzfeed, read: "Some of you may have seen coverage today of the very sad news of the death of one of the participants on The Jeremy Kyle Show.
"We have all been shocked and saddened at this news and have taken the decision to suspend both filming and broadcasting of the show.
"This was a very difficult decision to make but we felt that it would be inappropriate to continue to broadcast the show when a participant on it has so recently died.
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"This decision is not in any way a reflection on the show, but the best way we can protect the show and the production team from the reaction we expect to this death."
This afternoon Theresa May's spokesman described the tragedy as "deeply concerning".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Broadcasters and production companies have a responsibility for the mental health and well-being of participants and viewers of their programmes.
"We are clear they must have appropriate levels of support in place."
JEREMY KYLE SPLIT
Steve's death came after he shared a string of worrying posts on social media in the weeks leading up to his tragic death.
In March, Steve shared a heartbreaking message asking to send love to those battling with depression. It said: "So many suffer alone. Let's send love today to every person who is battling depression."
The message was particularly poignant given he had been diagnosed with the condition in February when his relationship with Jane began to break down.
It has since emerged a warrant for his arrest was out at the time of his death after he failed to appear in court.
He was due to attend Southampton Magistrates' Court for the non-payment of a fine of £4,329.71 imposed in 1997 for taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent and obtaining property of a registered society by false representation.
I can’t live without you. I just wanted to come and see you
Steve Dymond
But he failed to appear and a no-bail warrant was issued, the court confirmed today.
Speaking today, a family member described Steve as a "gentle giant".
On the doorstep of her home, the relative - who wished to remain anonymous - told Sun Online: "Its so sad. He was a nice bloke. He thought the world of Jane.
"I think it is tragic. He he had a heart of gold."
Steve and fiancée Jane split up completely after they went on Jeremy Kyle to prove he hadn't cheated on her by using a lie detector test.
Last Christmas, a year on from his engagement with Jane, Steve had described himself as ";worrying" about things in a Facebook post.
After thanking someone for a "lovely Xmas eve", Steve wrote: "And a huge thank you also to [Jane Callaghan] for everything she has done for me.
"I know I was not happy but I worry about things.
"But again you turned it all around.
"That's why I love you so much.
"You mean the [whole] world to me and always will do.
"I love you with all my heart and always will do."
TRAGIC TEXTS
Just before his death, Steve texted Jane to say he could not face life without her.
In desperate messages he wrote: "I can’t live without you. I just wanted to come and see you. I just wanted to say sorry before I go. My life is not worth living without you."
He'd previously posted several gushing messages talking about how much he loved her.
In one, he called her the "most important person" in his life, along with "soulmate" and "a partner for life".
Under his final post on Facebook, in which he said he'd had a "great weekend Easter holiday with Jane Callaghan" at Thorpe Park in "a day to remember", friends and family left moving tributes to Steve.
Sarah Alykes Greece Bransby said: "R.I.P. Steve."
Tammy Mitchell wrote: "Rest in beautiful peace now mate."
And Michaela Peters added: "I loved you with all my heart and now you are gone RIP."
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, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
ITV said: “Everyone at ITV and The Jeremy Kyle Show is shocked and saddened at the news of the death of a participant in the show a week after the recording of the episode they featured in and our thoughts are with their family and friends.
“ITV will not screen the episode in which they featured.
"Given the seriousness of this event, ITV has also decided to suspend both filming and broadcasting of The Jeremy Kyle Show with immediate effect in order to give it time to conduct a review of this episode of the show."