Steph McGovern breaks silence as Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch axed after 3 years

Steph McGovern, host of Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch, has chosen to stay silent about the show's cancellation.

Despite the announcement that her lunchtime programme will be ending in December after three years on air, she carried on as usual during Friday's episode, 20 October.

The 41 year old presenter didn't mention the news as she introduced the show and outlined what viewers could expect. "Welcome to a very packed lunch Friday at Leeds Dock," she cheerfully began.

She continued: "Now, later we'll be having a chat with 11-year-old George who had to deliver his baby sister, he's the son of out Lunchmate Danny and step-mum Sophie, they've got the baby with them!"

She added: "Also on the show we're back with Between the Sheets with Naked Attraction's Anna Richardson to solve more relationship dilemmas."

As she went on detailing the day's schedule, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment on Steph failing to mention the show's cancellation. One viewer noted: "I’m surprised the axing of #StephsPackedLunch wasn’t addressed today on the show. I hope there’s a u-turn.."

A second commented: "I can think of plenty of programs that I wouldn't mind seeing axed, but #StephsPackedLunch isn't one of them."

"Just watching #StephsPackedLunch after the axing announcement yesterday and it’s great to see Steph and the crew still putting on a great show despite the bad news", a third added.

Channel 4 shared their decision to cancel the programme in a statement on Thursday, 19 October.

It said: "Steph has not only made the nation's lunchtimes more entertaining and brilliantly reflected the views and pre-occupations of the country, but the show has also been an outstanding springboard for developing local talent behind the scenes. However, with audience habits changing quicker than ever, we have to make difficult decisions about which programmes to invest in to best drive our digital-first strategy and we have decided not to recommission Steph's Packed Lunch when its existing production contract ends in December 2023."

"We remain as committed as ever to our mission to help level up the TV industry outside London and to our 50% origination out of London target. We will be reinvesting the budget previously committed to Steph's Packed Lunch into other nations and regions productions."

"We have almost 500 roles outside of London and this will continue to increase over the next few years. We will continue to build on the legacy of the show, evolving what we do in line with our digital ambitions whilst continuing to reflect the lives of, and give a voice to, all our audiences across the UK and hope to work with Steph on other projects soon."

Steph's Packed Lunch first debuted in 2020, and features items including showbiz interviews, food, news, and consumer advice and is broadcast from Leeds Dock. The programme has welcomed a number of celebrity guests to its set including Katie Price, Anton Du Beke, Denise van Outen, and Greg Wise.

As news of the axing was released, fans took to X formerly known as Twitter to react to the announcement. One wrote: "What are we supposed to watch now , never in a million years will I watch this morning ever again , I love stephs packed lunch hope channel 5 take it over , finger crossed". [sic]

Another added: "How is Stephs Packed Lunch getting axed yet Loose Women is still going?! Make it make sense". And a third penned: "Really, really don't get this at all! Stephs packed lunch is good! Why stop a good thing! What exactly are you making way for? Shocking!"

* This article was crafted with the help of an AI engine, which speeds up OK!'s editorial research and applies it to article templates created by journalists in our newsrooms. An OK! editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Source: Read Full Article