ITV bosses have pledged not to make another programme that "looks or feels like" ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’.
The controversial daytime talk show was axed last month following the death of guest Steve Dymond – who allegedly took his own life around a week after failing a lie detector test on the programme – but network chiefs have quashed speculation they will launch another series with a similar format.
However, Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios managing director, confirmed they are keen to work with the presenter again in the future.
Appearing at a hearing on Tuesday (25.06.19) as part of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee’s inquiry into reality TV, he told MPs: "There are no plans to bring ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’ back. We will not be bringing back a show that looks or feels like ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’.
"The network has been very transparent though. We have worked with Jeremy Kyle on a number of shows in the past and we would be looking to work with him in the future. There would not be another conflict resolution show though."
Programme bosses were also branded "irresponsible" over the show’s lie detector tests and were criticised for not knowing enough about them.
Executive producer Tom McLennan insisted it was always made "very, very clear" to both viewers and participants on the show that the tests were not "100% accurate" but Committee Chairman Damian Collins said it was "astonishing" and "disappointing" that he didn’t know the exact level of accuracy.
He added: "If it wasn’t for the lie detector test we might not be sitting here today."
The executive claimed Jeremy was "always striving for resolution" and backed the use of the lie detector.
He said: "[The viewers] respected Jeremy, they loved Jeremy and they wanted to hear his thoughts … Jeremy was a fantastic presenter.
"Jeremy did have a strong opinion about the lie detector. He’s got very strong views. He strongly believed in the tests."
However, Mr. Collins told him it had "been suggested" that the 53-year-old star "doesn’t have much to say on the format of the programme".
ITV promises no more Jeremy Kyle show
