Kentish Express Ashford & District
Young mum wows audiences and saves her relationship
An Ashford mum caused a social media storm after appearing on the Jeremy Kyle Show.
Joelle Hughes, 19, appeared on the ITV chat show, which aired Thursday morning, claiming her ex-boyfriend’s gambling problem left her and their baby homeless.
But twitter users were more preoccupied with her looks than her story, dubbing her the ‘prettiest person ever’ to appear on the show.
One tweeter said “There’s a girl on Jeremy Kyle that’s actually pretty AND a normal functioning human, with all her teeth! Is this the first sign of Armageddon?”
While another wrote: “It’s just an achievement to see someone on Jeremy Kyle with teeth!”
As the story unfolded, the young mum explained how she had been forced to sofa surf with her baby after her ex, Jamie Hughes, gambled away her deposit money for a new flat.
Jamie, who used to play for New Romney FC, spoke openly about getting into gambling debts and borrowing £300 from his girlfriend.
But as he tried to win back the money, the debts spiralled and eventually he had lost her entire savings of £1,100.
When Jeremy Kyle, who previously struggled with his own gambling addiction, asked who called the show, Jamie said he had to get help so that he would be able to provide for his son.
The pair sat on stage with Jamie’s mum, who made an emotional appearance and told the host ‘I just want him to get help.’
Joelle said: “It’s the first time the show aired, and I was very shocked to see the reaction it got, I don’t really understand what the fuss is all about. The show was actually filmed a year and a half ago.
“Jamie got the help and support he needed from the show, which is brilliant because that’s exactly why we applied.
“Jamie had an addiction and for my son’s sake I knew I was just going to have to swallow up my pride. I would do the whole process again if it meant saving my baby’s dad from a dangerous addiction.
“Don’t get me wrong it’s very flattering to see those things being wrote about me, but I really don’t see what the fuss is all about I’m just an average girl.
“I think people are just shocked because of the ‘usual’ guests which appear on the show.
“The crew were all lovely and made me feel at ease, and I enjoy watching the show so meeting Jeremy was very surreal.
“I went on there with good intentions. Jamie needed professional help and I was willing to do anything to ensure he got exactly that.
“My son needs to have a good role model as his father.”
Jamie said: “I think Joelle deserves the praise she’s getting, she’s a beautiful lady and I tell her every day and she denies it so now she knows it’s not just me that thinks it.
“Also the show helped me a lot, I had the option to lose my pride and, as some say, embarrass myself on the show, or carry on gambling and eventually lose everything including my family.
“When you put it like that my family win all day and I’d do it again tomorrow for my family.”
More than a year after filming the show, the pair are back together, engaged and expecting another baby.