Steph’s Packed Lunch has aired its final episode, and many are heartbroken.
Steph McGovern came back on television in October when Channel 4 announced the cancellation of the midday programme, and Chris Kamara, Russell Kane, Simon Rimmer, and others also returned to the studio.
The last episode was every bit as tumultuous as fans had come to expect, and the choice to end the show left many people perplexed.
‘Sad that this is the last #StephsPackedLunch, it’s been such a fun, informative programme. Thanks Steph & Co,’ wrote @_PaulaAllison on X (formerly Twitter).
‘Can’t understand why channel 4 are getting rid of #StephsPackedLunch its informative,’ added @Kazters, while @Sionaainn bemoaned: ‘Not sure what @channel4 were thinking cancelling #StephsPackedLunch’
And viewer @CooperS111s sarcastically wrote: ‘This is a brilliant show so @Channel4 cancels it 😳#StephsPackedLunch’
The 41-year-old presenter had not spoken out about the shocking revelation until today, and prior of the finale, she shared a behind-the-scenes photo of her cue cards and microphone on Instagram.
She wrote: ‘For one last time……. today 12-2.10 @packedlunchc4 on @channel4 – episode 675.
‘My cue cards, my earpiece and my microphone.’
Her tweet received a lot of attention, with regular visitors Gemma Atkinson and Ashley James chiming in.
Oti Mabuse and John Whaite have already spoken out about the axe, with former Strictly pro Oti crediting it with “changing her life.”
Meanwhile, Bake Off star John said at the time that the Steph’s Packed Lunch team had been ‘blindsided’ by the news of the axe, with ‘the rug pulled out from underneath them, which is really, really terrible.’
He also stated that he will be leaving television for good following the axe.
Channel 4 previously explained it cancelled Steph’s Packed Lunch because it was prioritising investing in content that helped drive its ‘digital-first strategy.’
The statement continued: ‘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.’
In a statement, a Channel 4 spokesperson said they were ‘incredibly proud of all that Steph’s Packed Lunch has achieved since its launch from Steph’s living room during lockdown nearly four years ago’.
‘We’re so grateful to Steph, Expectation, Can Can and the brilliant production team for creating a show that kick started our growth in the north of England.’
They went on to praise Steph for making lunchtimes’more fun’ throughout the country.
‘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,’ they said.
Steph’s Packed Lunch, originally known as The Steph Show, first aired in March 2020, about a week after the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began.
