'Kyle' guest kills himself after gay taunts

A man killed himself after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show to discuss problems in his gay marriage.

Roger Irons, 21, appeared on the ITV1 programme in October 2007 alongside partner Matthew Millington, whom he had married in a civil ceremony the previous year.

Millington later claimed that the daytime show had helped strengthen their relationship, however Irons reportedly became increasingly depressed by taunts about his homosexuality.

The nursing home care assistant was found hanging from a tree last year after telling his family that he "couldn't take any more" abuse.

"Roger was happy and easy-going but he hid his problems," his sister Lisa told the inquest in Truro, Cornwall. "People being homophobic hurt him a lot. It really got to him and eventually it boiled over."

Iron's body was discovered on August 2, after he ran out of his sister Susan's 18th birthday party. She said: "He was crying and very emotional. He kissed me on the cheek and said 'I can’t take it anymore' and ran off."

A spokesman for The Jeremy Kyle Show refused to comment, saying: "His death was not linked to the show and came well after his appearance."

Cornwall deputy coroner Andrew Cox recorded a verdict of suicide.