Gambling, Lies and the Breakdown of a Marriage
In 1988, Kyle met Kirsty Rowley whilst working as a recruitment consultant. They were engaged within 2 months and married in July 1989. The tempestuous relationship was short-lived, and the couple divorced in 1991, just 5 months after the birth of their baby – a girl named Hattie.
In 2007, Rowley gave an interview about the breakdown of their marriage. Disgruntled by Kyle’s sanctimonious stance towards a gambling addict on the show, she exposed his gambling addiction and how it destroyed their marriage. She describes a web of lies and deceit throughout their marriage, as her then-husband attempted to cover up his addiction to betting.
“He seemed incapable of telling the truth about anything from the most trivial day-to-day things to more important issues. Jeremy was a gambling addict and what startles me is the hardline approach he takes with the people who appear on his show. It angers me that he can put himself in the position of, in his own words, a “TV God”. ” – Kirsty Rowley
Kirsty claims that Jeremy withdrew money from their joint account without her permission. She also says he ran up a £4500 overdraft on her bank account without her knowledge. He had racked up thousands of pounds worth of debt to fund his habit. Once confronted, it transpired that he had a serious gambling problem with betting in bookies and on gambling phone lines.
She also claims that he made up astonishing stories, including a lie that he was dying from a heart condition and that he had inherited a large sum of money, which never surfaced, as you can easily imagine. Rather than face bankruptcy, Kyle was given the option of a payment plan to repay the debt.
The Story of Gambling Addiction from the Horse’s Mouth
In 2009, Kyle released his first book, I’m Only Being Honest. He provides his outlook on modern British life and delves into upheavals in his own life, including his OCD and his battle to overcome his addiction to gambling. Jez explained that he was betting every day when he was in his early twenties. He described how he continued to bet when it was no longer fun, and how he was not in control of his habit.
“Gambling is the mistress that truly seduced me. I will never understand what a hit of heroin feels like, but gambling I get. Big time.” – Jeremy Kyle
During an interview to publicise the book, Jeremy spoke about gambling addiction and how he overcame the problem. He said that he got £12,000 into debt and owing more money than he had made left him feeling embarrassed and ashamed. For Kyle, it was the wake-up call he needed tackle his problem. Kyle advised any problem gamblers to seek help and pointed out there are plenty of support groups and help lines available, as well as Gamblers Anonymous, that can support anyone affected by the issue.
In Kyle’s book, he described how he used to make the common gambling mistake of playing beyond his bankroll. He would chase his losses, making numerous withdrawals from the cash machine. Kyle states that he is now in control of his gambling habit. He still has the occasional punt, but it no longer controls his life. He sets a certain amount aside to bet with, and when that is gone, he simply stops gambling.
The Unusual Story of the Second Wife
In the book, Kyle gushed about his then wife, Carla Germaine. The couple met under unusual circumstances to say the least. In 1999, Kyle was presenting on BRMB, the Birmingham based radio station. Carla won a competition ran by the station, to marry a complete stranger. Needless to say, the controversial marriage did not last long. Yet Carla turned to Jeremy in consolation, and in 2002, the couple married.
They went on to have two daughters, Ava and Alice, and a son, Henry. In 2012, Jeremy Kyle was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and Carla supported him through the operation and chemotherapy to beat the disease. Kyle returned to full health. The marriage, however, did not last.
In 2016, Carla filed for divorce, on the grounds of her husband’s unreasonable behaviour. Jeremy released a statement saying: “After 13 years of a generally happy marriage my wife and I, Carla, have separated amicably.” Yet shortly after the news of the split was announced, reports emerged that Carla had been conducting a steamy affair with a polo player.
The Nanny – Third Time Lucky for Jezza?
Whilst Jeremy and his second wife met under odd circumstances, what can be said of his next serious relationship? In fact, Kyle had known Vicky Burton for over a decade when they became an item. Burton had been the nanny to his and Carla’s 3 children.
Around a year after divorcing Carla, Jeremy and Vicky’s relationship went public, when they were pictured on holiday together. They confirmed their relationship, after having been together for only a few months. Although it was reported that their relationship started after she had finished working as the nanny, friends of Carla described her shock and sense of betrayal at the news.
In February 2018, it was announced that the couple would marry. Jeremy and Vicky, 16 years his junior, are yet to confirm a date for the upcoming nuptials. The couple is notoriously private, yet they were pictured together in December last year at a meeting at Newbury race course, where Jeremy cheered on his horse Old Guard.
Jeremy Kyle Welcomes Fatherhood With a Clean Slate
The public met Jeremy’s relationship with Vicky Burton with mixed feelings, but the fact of the matter is that he was man enough to put a ring on it making his Vicky his fiancé. Two years after they got engaged, Kyle announced his fiancé’s pregnancy. Everyone seemed delighted with the good news, after all, they both have been through a lot. That’s not a first for the TV host. If it wasn’t for his kids he probably would’ve never met Vicky in the first place. All in all, becoming a father for the third time seems to be the thing that will bring balance in Jeremy’s life and snatch him from compulsive gambling once and for all. It’s hard to imagine that Jeremy Kyle’s gambling addiction will rear its ugly face under the present circumstances.
Kyle Delivers a Serious Message About Problem Gambling
Jeremy Kyle’s drama-filled past raises genuine points about beating gambling addiction. Whilst his £12,000 debt may not be one of the biggest gambling losses of all time, it served as a catalyst for him to seek help for his problem.
Despite his usual condescending manner, he provides sound advice to anyone dealing with gambling addiction. There are charities such as BeGambleAware and GamCare that can provide assistance and support to overcome the problem.
All licensed and safe UK gambling sites work in close collaboration with such organisations to help protect their players. In addition, there’s always the option to turn directly to Jezza for help.
