A former producer on The Jeremy Kyle Show has claimed that she and others working on the ITV show were refused meals if they didn't book guests on the programme.
In a new Channel 4 documentary, staff working backstage on the show have claimed that they were pushed to "manipulate" guests into taking part in the show, which became increasingly difficult the longer the programme ran on TV.
In some instances, producers have been accused of actively lying in order to get guests on the show - reportedly telling David Staniforth, from Clowne, that his wife wanted to reconcile with him on the show when he claims that had not been the case.
Former security guard Staniforth went on to attack his wife's lover on stage by head-butting him and later pleaded guilty to common assault in court in 2007.
While sentencing Staniforth, district judge Alan Berg blasted the show for 'bear-baiting' guests and told Manchester Magistrates' Court: "The circumstances of this case are exceptional and the provocation involved seems to be paramount.
"I have had the misfortune of viewing the Jeremy Kyle Show and it seems to me that its whole purpose is to effect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people who are in some kind of turmoil."
He added: "The people responsible for this, namely the producers, should in my opinion be in the dock with you Mr Staniforth."
At the time, an ITV spokesperson defended themselves over the remarks made by the judge, insisting that they took the well-being of studio guests "extremely seriously" and they took steps to make it clear to guests that "no violence is ever tolerated".
They added: "We would like to make it clear that we do not share the District Judge's opinion of the viewing public and the people who choose to take part in our programme in an effort to resolve their problems."
Opening up about the lengths that they would go to book guests on the show, one anonymous staff member says: "People who were begging and desperate to be on the show... they were often the ones with mental health issues.
"We would have to go through the mental health check list with every guest to see if they are okay to go on the show. There was such pressure to book these that you would quite often lie or sometimes miss out important information or details."
While another claims that they received regular calls from guests threatening to kill themselves.
"Yeah, virtually every week," they claim. "There will probably be say two calls a week from people saying that and it was your job as someone who had no mental health expertise to determine if they were telling the truth. Who the f*** was I at 21 to be determining if someone wants to kill themselves and it was kind of like if you could get them to almost be like 'Oh I don't want to' that would be like sweet, yeah finally it can go out to air and we have not wasted any money."
Another staff member adds: "If you hadn't booked a show, you'd be work until like four or five in the morning, every week, like every night."
Quizzed on what would happen if they weren't booking people, they reply: "Well, then you would get fired."
While another claims: "We were literally like rats in a lab. You never left your desk sometimes, 14 15 hours at that desk."
A third also claims: "Let’s say you were working and it’s like 10 o clock at night and you’ve got nothing on your board, it doesn’t matter if you’ve not had a break, because they would have to order your tea from one of the restaurants nearby. If you said can we have tea we're starving, the producer would say, no."
The documentary's director asks: "So you weren't actually allowed to eat until you booked guests?"
They reply: "Yeah."
The Jeremy Kyle 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.
Dymond's episode never aired on TV, though the goings on behind the scenes came under public scrutiny, with guests coming forward to expose the emotional turmoil they said that they had faced after agreeing to appear on the show.
ITV said in a statement: "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 airs Sunday and Monday 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.
