Jeremy Kyle Show bosses shut down claims host will get £3million pay out after show is cancelled
The 53-year-old will continue working with ITV despite reports he could receive a huge pay off
JEREMY Kyle WON'T get a £3million pay out after his show was axed and will continue working with ITV, according to a channel spokesman.
There had been speculation Jeremy Kyle, 53, would pocket a huge windfall after channel bosses axed his programme following the death of guest Steven Dymond, 63.
But rather than receive his £3million salary as a golden goodbye, Jeremy will continue making TV shows.
When asked if Jeremy was in line for a bumper pay day, a spokesman for ITV told the : “We don't discuss artist contracts but this isn't true and we are continuing to work with Jeremy."
The TV star set up Hales Media Limited on Tuesday, the day before his show was axed, and has listed fiancée Vicky Burton, 35, as a director as well as a third party, Clive Brown, as secretary.
Last night The Sun exclusively revealed how Jeremy was “utterly devastated” that his TV show has been axed.
He said: “Myself and the production team are all utterly devastated.”
The daytime ratings hit, axed after the suspected suicide of a participant, will now be part of a major review of reality TV announced today by MPs.
But insiders believe ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall was looking for an excuse to kill it off.
One ITV source explained: “Carolyn and some of the other senior executives always thought the Kyle show was a thorn in the side of daytime — the format was very negative and in this day and age had become a bit toxic.
“It wasn’t fluffy and wholesome like the other shows but it was hugely popular — the best rated programme across the whole day until tea time.
“It would have been extremely brave to axe it out of nowhere, so a controversy gave them a reason to do it.”
Father-of-one Steve appeared on the show to try to prove to fiancée Jane Callaghan, 48, that he had not cheated on her but failed a lie detector test.
The couple split shortly afterwards and ten days later was found dead from a suspected drug overdose in his Portsmouth bedsit.
Yesterday, ITV announced the programme was being axed.
In a statement, Dame Carolyn said: “Given the gravity of recent events we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show.
“The Jeremy Kyle Show has had a loyal audience and has been made by a dedicated production team for 14 years, but now is the right time for the show to end.
“Everyone at ITV’s thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Steve Dymond.”
Jeremy told The Sun: “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.”
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