The 23 year-old was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work instead of being sent to jail for house breaking in his hometown Dundee last year.

He had been convicted a string of items including a television, an Xbox console, a train set and even a lavatory seat.

But instead of undertaking his community order, he went on to film an episode of the Jeremy Kyle Show, including staying in a hotel and travelling by taxi and from the Manchester-based television studio.

Despite now facing a period in custody, Lamb admitted it had been a "good experience".

Documents tendered to Dundee Sheriff Court disclosed how he had gone on the show in a bid to get access to his daughter from a previous relationship.

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Lamb, who has previous convictions for cannabis possession and assault to injury, had completed only one hour of work between November 11 last year and April 10 this year, the court heard.

When he was asked by social workers why he had failed to complete his punishment, he admitted he had missed appointments because he had appeared on ITV's controversial show.

In a report to the court outlining the breach of his order, the unnamed social worker wrote: "It would appear that Mr Lamb has not afforded his orders due priority which is evidenced by his continued failures to attend.

"His most recent evidence to cover absences was an appearance on TV, namely the Jeremy Kyle Show. He reports that he now has access to his children which he contributes to his recent apeprance on the Jeremy Kyle Show."

"There has been no other substantial changes in his circumstances that should preclude him from attending. Mr Lamb again has not afforded his order due priority. This despite having been granted extensive periods of time in which to submit evidence."

They added: "Even when evidence has been submitted and accepted I have no option but to call in to question his commitment to his order given the most recent evidence used was an appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show.

"I therefore have no alternative but to request that court consider revoking said order in view to imposing an alternative disposal."

The criminal would have faced a jail sentence when he appeared in court for sentence on Thursday, but failed to attend his 9.30am hearing.

He arrived more than an hour late, to find Sheriff Tom Hughes had already granted a warrant for his arrest and was told his case would not be recalled.

Lamb, had previously admitted a charge of theft by housebreaking after he and another man broke into a flat between February 11 and 12 last year. They stole a television, an Xbox console and accessories, ornaments and a train set.

Bizarrely, the pair also stole a lavatory seat in the raid.

Outside court, Lamb said he had been transported to and from the filming of the show by taxi and had been put up in a hotel by producers.

He added: "I wasn't that good, I was really nervous. It was a good experience though.

"I watch the Jeremy Kyle show on the telly, so I thought I'd phone them. I was trying to get access through the lawyers, but I thought I'd try this instead."

A Jeremy Kyle Show spokeswoman said the episode had not yet been aired.