09 January 2024 , 18:05
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TV Presenter Steph McGovern looked cheerful as she posed for a picture outside 10 Downing Street after waving goodbye to viewers for the last time last month following her popular lunchtime show being given the axe by Channel 4 bosses.
Sharing a snap to Instagram, McGovern, who appeared snug in a white turtleneck jumper and green jacket, is seen grinning from ear to ear as she wrote: "Resisted the urge to play knock-a-door-run…..or as us Boro folk called it: ‘nicky knocky ido’ - actually writing that name down now sounds absolutely ridiculous! Where did that come from?! Anyone know?"
"Anyway, you’ll be able to find out what I’ve been up to in Downing Street tomorrow. And for those who asked, it wasn’t to interview Larry the cat."
The 41-year-old journalist is said to be focusing on her podcast The Rest Is Money, and comedy panel show The Ultimate Choice. She fronted her chat show for over three years since it first aired on our screens in March 2020. McGovern previously worked as a presenter on BBC Breakfast before moving to the rival channel.
Steph is interviewing some high-profile guests for interview for her podcast (@StephLunch/X)
The former BBC journalist is taking a new route in her career (Mike Marsland/WireImage)The show, which is filmed from a studio in Leeds, has had several high-profile guests, including Anton Du Beke, Adam Woodyatt, Rochelle Humes, and Russell Kane. Last year, Channel 4 announced that Steph's Packed Lunch would be dropped from their schedule after their contract with the show ended in December.
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Their statement 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."
Fans have since demanded the show be brought back. One social media user penned: "Petition to get Packed Lunch back on telly." A second chimed in: "Get back on the tele you are missed x," whilst a third said: "Hope you are canvassing to put Stephs packed lunch back on the T.V. We really miss it. [sic]"