Former employees of The Jeremy Kyle Show have claimed that the ITV programme gave its host a "God complex" and that he was "incredibly nasty and demeaning".
In a new Channel 4 documentary, ex-staff from the show - who remain anonymous and are played by actors - open up about what they say it was really like behind the scenes.
The show ran for 14 years until ITV axed it following the death of guest Steve Dymond, who had failed a lie detector test on the show.
Afterwards, a public inquiry held by MPs singled out the behaviour of chat show host Jeremy over his "humiliating and demeaning" behaviour towards guests
Unedited footage appears in the documentary - which was also shown at the inquiry - reveals Jeremy lashing out at crew and telling them to "f***ing shut up" and mocking guests.
Offering their own experiences with the host, one former crew member claims: "I think that show gave him and I think it gave many of us a god complex - that you can talk to people however you want."
While another claims: "Jeremy was incredibly nasty, really just demeaning."
A third claims that staff got the feeling he "didn't care" about guests.
"He would make comments to us about the guests, like insinuating that they were thick or that they were scruffs," she says.
An unedited clip shows Jeremy fuming: "No, I don't understand. They're terrible f***ing guests. You've done it again - they're as thick as s***."
The anonymous former staff member continues: "And this was quite disturbing because you just get the sense he didn’t care about these people and if you don’t care then you shouldn’t be doing that job."
A whistleblower, who leaked the humiliating footage of Jeremy to the inquiry, opens up about his own experience on the show as a cameraman.
"When you’re filming, it’s very intense," he says. "I gathered back-to-back psychological carnage. It will haunt me for the rest of my days that I didn’t do something about it and I feel a tremendous amount of complicity and guilt that I wasn't able to make a difference when it mattered.
"What was shocking to see first-hand was that sneering, snarling - the aggression. The way that you could abuse these people - they needed talking to in that particular type of way. You had to shout at them, you had to use that kind of talking because they were beneath contempt."
ITV said in a statement to Channel 4: "The Jeremy Kyle Show was broadcast for 14 years. In that time, more than 20,000 people took part in the show seeking help to resolve relationship issues, or to address drug or alcohol related problems. The central purpose of the show was conflict resolution, and the show achieved many positive outcomes where people were able to resolve personal problems.
"The Jeremy Kyle Show had extensive and detailed duty of care processes in place for contributors built up over 14 years. It had a dedicated guest welfare team of mental healthcare professionals with decades of experience in NHS mental healthcare, who were focused on the welfare of guests throughout the production process. Guests were supported by the programme and welfare teams prior to filming, throughout filming and after filming. Should they require ongoing help then appropriate solutions were found for them, which could include residential rehabilitation, counselling, anger management, family mediation, child access mediation or couples counselling.
"Due to the gravity of events in May 2019, namely the death of a guest a few days after taking part in the show, ITV decided to end production of the show. It would not be appropriate for ITV to comment further on that in advance of the inquest to be held later this month.
"ITV does not accept the central allegation of this programme of a “bad culture” within the production team. We note that the programme includes anonymous former production members claiming wrongdoing by themselves and others, without supporting evidence. ITV would never condone any of its production staff misleading or lying to guests. All guests on the Jeremy Kyle Show were aware of the nature of the show and the presenter’s style before taking part in recording. Most of those who applied to appear watched the show themselves. All guests gave their informed consent, in writing, to take part.
"Since 2018 ITV has taken significant steps in relation to its duty of care of participants. ITV issued detailed new guidance to all its producers on protecting participants in October 2019, which represents industry-leading good practice and now reflects the changes to the Broadcasting Code made by industry regulator Ofcom in 2021. ITV also ensures greater management oversight of participant welfare through a Duty of Care Board, and has created a Mental Health Advisory group involving mental health charities to advise ITV on its policies for staff and programme guests.
Jeremy Kyle was approached for a response to the series. He did not provide a statement for broadcast.
*The Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime aired on Sunday with the final episode on this evening at 9pm on Channel 4
If you're struggling and need help and support, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org if you'd prefer to write down how you feel.
For information about eating disorders, UK charity BEAT can help.
