Jeremy Kyle feels stronger than ever with wife Vicky at his side as he opened up about the challenges they’ve both faced since Steve Dymond’s tragic death

Jeremy Kyle says he wants to move on from his “five years of hell” – as he reveals plans for his big telly comeback.

Two months ago the presenter was “exonerated” over the death of Steve Dymond, who took his life after appearing on his ITV daytime programme.

It’s taken Jeremy, 59, five years to clear his name. At his lowest ebb, he couldn’t get out of bed or even leave the house for months at a time.

But now the dad-of-six is keen to focus on his family and career.

“We must never forget that a man died, but it’s been proven that it was nothing whatsoever to do with me,” insists Jeremy. “It’s been five years of hell. But with the strength of this woman, I’m on the other side.”

Speaking to our sister title OK! magazine with wife Vicky, 40, by his side, he continued: “For two years it was horrific, and I had a complete breakdown,” he says. “It was Vicky who dragged me out of bed. She saved me.”

His wife Vicky ‘saved him’ during the incredibly difficult time ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / Chelsea White)
Vicky said: “It was so hard to see my husband go through that, but I always knew it wasn’t his fault. It was a horrible time for all of us. I had to kick him out of bed and force him to do stuff with the family. No one thought he’d be like that. Only his family, friends and children knew — and we kept him going.

“Jeremy is not the scary person he’s portrayed as on screen. He’s gentle and kind and he wants the best for everyone.”

The fateful moment in question happened on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2019, when Steve went on the programme to prove he hadn’t cheated on his partner. During filming, Jeremy encouraged him to tell the truth and “grow a pair of balls”.

Seven days later Steve committed suicide.

Jeremy is enjoying the festive period with his family ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / Chelsea White)
The show was subsequently axed, but in September an inquest concluded there was “no clear and reliable causal connection” between Steve’s appearance on the show and his death.

Going back five years and reliving the moment he first heard of the show’s axing, Jeremy says it came at the exact time the family received some other important news.

“I was sitting on the loo when I got a call from ITV, simply saying, ‘The show’s gone’,” recalled Jeremy. “And at that exact moment, my wife-to-be walked into the bathroom and said, ‘I’m pregnant,’” he says. “I was in such a state for two or three days and it was Vic who pulled me out of it. She told me it didn’t matter what happened, we’d live with her parents if need be. She remained calm. In the moments I’ve really needed her, she’s been incredible.”

Jeremy is in a much better place now ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / Chelsea White)Vicky was nanny to Jeremy’s three children from his second marriage. The couple have two children – Oliver, five, and Iris, 10 months. He also has Harriet, 34, from his first marriage and Alice, 20, Ava, 19, and Henry, 15, from his second

Jeremy went on: “And in terms of my career, overnight I went from being the king of the castle to not even being allowed in the castle grounds for a walk. I completely and utterly get it when people say, ‘Oh but Jeremy Kyle’s a gobs***e,’ I get it. It was part of the show. But for the people who knew me, it was a terrible time.”

In the lead-up to the inquest, Jeremy lost over a stone in weight and was put on antidepressants due to the stress he was under.

Jeremy is now looking to the future as he gets ready to celebrate his 60th next year ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / Chelsea White)
“I was worried about the team that worked with me, my fiancée was pregnant, I’d lost my career and I still had to go and pick up the kids from school at 3pm. It was the most popular daytime show in ITV’s history. But the world changes. I get that. I’ve learnt from it. I can look back now and understand it was a different time. The show was very much a product of its time.”

After clearing his name, Jeremy is keen to get back to what he does best – being on telly.

He’s doing Kate Garraway ’s Life Stories early next year and says he has a lot of exciting opportunities on the horizon.

“I’m 60 next year and life feels like it’s starting again,” he says. “Now we need to look ahead. I don’t want this to be my legacy — I want my legacy to be that I’m a great dad.”

Read the full interview in OK! magazine, out Tuesday.