Theresa May calls Jeremy Kyle Show incident 'deeply concerning'

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has spoken out after a participant from the Jeremy Kyle Show died shortly after his episode was recorded.

May said through a spokesperson she was "deeply concerned" after Steven Dymond's death.

"Broadcasters and production companies have a responsibility for the mental health and well-being of participants and viewers of their programmes," the spokesperson said.

"We are clear they must have appropriate levels of support in place."

Calls are growing for the show to be axed, including from UK members of parliament.

Conservative Party MP Charles Walker told the BBC Dymond's death was a watershed moment for the Jeremy Kyle Show.

He said it would be "extremely sensible" if broadcaster ITV cancelled the show.

Fellow party MP Damian Collins said television companies have a duty of care to the people that take part in their programmes.

MP Simon Hart called the show "car-crash TV which revels in people's terrible misfortune and sometimes their vulnerabilities".

Dymond, a 62-year-old grandfather, was "humiliated and traumatised" by his appearance on the show, according to The Daily Mail.

According to The Sun, Dymond's ex-partner said she told him to "get his stuff and go" when the pair returned home from filming.

He was found dead a week after his episode was recorded. ITV has suspended the show, and pulled it from streaming platforms.

An email reportedly sent to staff from ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall reveals the broadcaster pulled the show to protect production staff from the fallout from Dymond's death.

"This decision is not in any way a reflection on the show, but the best way we think we can protect the show and the production team from the reaction we expect to this death," the email, shared by Buzzfeed News, says.

TVNZ, which broadcasts the show in New Zealand, plans to continue to screen episodes, but confirmed it will not air the episode featuring Dymond.

Newshub.