An MP is calling on Jeremy Kyle to appear before a government inquiry following the death of a contestant on his TV show after the presenter said he would dodge questioning by a powerful commons committee.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins - who chairs the digital, culture, media and sport committee - says he will pursue a date with the talk show host, calling him an "important witness".

It comes after Mr Kyle revealed he will not appearing before MPs scheduled to investigate similar programming.

The presenter's television show was axed last month after a guest died shortly after failing a lie detector test on the Jeremy Kyle show.

An inquiry was launched to investigate the nature of reality TV and the support available to those that star on them.

Mr Collins said: "He has declined to appear, but we believe that Mr Kyle is an important witness to the committee in its work and we will be pursuing this matter with Mr Kyle's representatives to see if we can find a date when he will appear or to understand fully the reasons why he is not able to appear."

How KentOnline's podcast reported on the show being scrapped

MPs will question TV bosses involved with the programme next Tuesday.

A retired vicar who appeared on Jeremy Kyle with his toyboy described the "courteous" staff on the programme and said he had "no complaints" about his appearance, following ITV's decision to axe the programme.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone.