Kerry Katona wants to front a talk show to replace ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’.
The ITV daytime programme was axed last week in the wake of guest Steve Dymond allegedly taking his own life a week after taking a lie detector test on the show, and now the former Atomic Kitten singer – who has previously opened up about her struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder – wants to provide a sympathetic ear to speak with people suffering from mental health problems.
She said: "It feels like the right time to put the show to bed.
"I feel like it’s become a vehicle to mock lower class people with no teeth, whose mental health problems aren’t always taken seriously.
"Now there’s a space in the ITV schedule, may I put forward a pitch for a sensitive talk show about mental health, presented by me? It would certainly make a refreshing change."
While Kerry – who has Molly, 17, Lilly-Sue, 16, Heidi, 12, Max, 11, and four-year-old Dylan-Jorge from previous relationships – thinks it’s right the show was axed, she thinks Jeremy has come in for unfair criticism.
She wrote in her column for new! magazine: "I’m a good friend of Jeremy Kyle and I’ve appeared on his show before. He’s always been lovely to me – although he can be an arrogant little t**t.
"But i don’t think you can blame him or the programme for the tragic death of one of his guests.
"From what I experienced, it was a caring environment."
Jeremy broke his silence over the show’s cancellation at the weekend.
He said: "Myself and the production team I have worked with for the last 14 years are all utterly devastated by the recent events. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Steve’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time."
Kerry Katona wants daytime talk show
