The Jeremy Kyle Show’s counsellor Graham Stanier defends series following Channel 4 documentary

The Jeremy Kyle Show’s former counsellor Graham Stanier has defended the show following allegations made in Channel 4’s explosive documentary.

Jeremy Kyle: Death on Daytime investigates the downfall of the popular ITV show, which was axed in 2019 following the suicide of a former guest, Steve Dymond, who took his own life just days after appearing on the programme. 

The two-part documentary series also features interviews with former producers who worked on the show, all of whom claim staff – including Jeremy himself – baited guests and twisted story lines for dramatic effect.

However, the show’s former counsellor Graham Stanier has now spoken out in defense of the show, issuing a lengthy statement to insist all guests received an adequate ‘after care service’.

ITV

Sharing a graphic of Martin Luther King Jr. on Instagram, Graham, from Rochdale, said the programme helped ‘thousands’ of people through counselling, family mediation and anger management sessions.

He wrote: “Many people benefited from the aftercare service provided by The Jeremy Kyle Show and there were also many who benefited and didn’t appear on the show.

“The service had a positive impact on many people’s lives and, in some cases, those whose needs are often unheard and ignored within our society were acknowledged and heard by the aftercare team.

“Some used the service as a helpline and in some cases a few were provided with a free residential treatment programme by a generous service provider.

ITV

“The service had a positive impact on many peoples lives and in some cases those who’s needs are often unheard and ignored within our society were acknowledged and heard by the aftercare team.”

He went on to claim the show ‘challenged’ homophobia, transphobia and racism and ‘provided a platform’ to brave survivors of domestic abuse to raise public awareness, as well as a platform for ‘inspirational children’.

Former host Jeremy Kyle has also refuted the allegations made in the documentary, saying ‘there are two sides to every story’ and that he has contacted his lawyers.

ITV has also denied all allegations, saying in a statement that the ‘central purpose of the show was conflict resolution’ and adding that the show achieved ‘many positive outcomes where people were able to resolve personal problems’.