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Controversial Jeremy Kyle show loses sponsorship deal

29/09/2007

The government's adult education service has dropped its £500,000 sponsorship deal with the Jeremy Kyle show.

Ufi, which operates the Learndirect adult learning service, said it was ending its contract with the daytime programme as "continued sponsorship of the show would not protect and enhance the strength and reputation" of the service.

A spokesperson for the Central Office of Information, the government's communication department, stated that over 125,000 people had cited advertising or sponsorship as reasons for enrolling on adult education programmes.

It added that it would be inappropriate for advertisements about adult learning programmes to be aired on the show in light of the comments made by a judge about the show.

Last week Judge Alan Berg, who was presiding over a case at Manchester Magistrates court involving contestants on the show, said the show was "a form of human bear-baiting". Mr Berg found a man, who appeared as a guest on the show, guilty of assault for headbutting someone he believed was involved with his wife.

Recently the talk show's producers have denied allegations that they had offered a guest alcohol to make him more confrontational before he appeared on the show.