The Jeremy Kyle Show’s former counsellor Graham Stanier has broken his silence in the wake of Channel 4’s recent documentary about the show, having defended the ‘aftercare service’ guests received.
The daytime show ran for 17 series until it was cancelled in 2019, following the death of guest Steve Dymond, who died of a morphine overdose and left ventricular hypertrophy after taking part in the programme.
After two-part documentary Jeremy Kyle: Death On Daytime concluded earlier this week, Stanier has issued a lengthy statement on Instagram, accompanying his message with a graphic of a Martin Luther King Jr. quote that says: “Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”
In his post, Stanier listed the various facets of aftercare service that The Jeremy Kyle Show provided for its guests.
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According to the consultant psychotherapist, this included ‘residential treatment programmes for guests suffering from addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling’, while thousands of people were ‘referred for counselling, family mediation and anger management sessions’.
Thousands, he said, were also ‘referred for counselling because they were struggling with difficult life events such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, stress, and in some cases distressing physical health problems’, while thousands more were ‘referred or signposted to external support agencies to either re engage or engage them with services that would improve their lives’.
Stanier wrote: “The show itself was a conflict resolution show but it also challenged Homophobia, Transphobia and Racism and it provided a platform to brave survivors of Domestic abuse, trauma and childhood trauma because they wanted to raise public awareness and ultimately help others.
“The show provided a platform for inspirational children who were rewarded for their extraordinary courage and bravery as they coped with serious illness and it also put the spotlight on their parents and carers for their selfless acts of caring for others.
“The show took many children diagnosed with life limiting or life threatening medical conditions on holiday so together with their parents and carers they could create wonderful memories together.
“The show also reunited hundreds if not thousands of Siblings, Parents and extended family members after years of being separated.”
He concluded that ‘many people benefited’ from the aftercare service, and that there were also ‘many who benefited and didn’t appear on the show’.
“Some used the service as a helpline and in some cases a few were provided with a free residential treatment programme by a generous service provider,” Stanier added.
“The service had a positive impact on many peoples lives and in some cases those whose needs are often unheard and ignored within our society were acknowledged and heard by the aftercare team.”
Former host Jeremy has also issued a statement refuting the allegations made in the documentary, saying he has contacted lawyers.
In a statement to The Sun, Kyle said: “I would like to reiterate my deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Mr Dymond.
“I’ve consistently maintained it would be inappropriate to discuss the tragic death of Steve Dymond before the legal inquest into it has concluded.
“Likewise, the false and damaging allegations made against me by Channel 4 are with the lawyers now.
‘No doubt ITV will address the issues raised by Channel 4 around ITV’s production of The Jeremy Kyle Show themselves, it would be wrong for me to speak on their behalf.
“Now is not the time to debate or discuss what is an ongoing legal process. When I can respond, I will.”
Topics: TV and Film, UK News, Jeremy Kyle
Jess Hardiman