Steph’s Packed Lunch fans are perplexed as Steph McGovern fails to address the shocking axe of the Channel 4 show.
The 41-year-old journalist ignored the ‘elephant in the room’ on Friday’s show, instead focusing on relationship issues with Anna Richardson and a youngster who assisted in the delivery of his baby sister.
The lack of comment surprised fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, with one writing: ‘I’m surprised the axing of #StephsPackedLunch wasn’t addressed today on the show. I hope there’s a u turn.’
Another remarked: ‘No mention of the elephant in the room on #StephsPackedLunch …. very weird.’
‘@channel4 Steph hasn’t mentioned the show has been axed. I think the viewers should know how you’re feeling. The show which should’ve been axed is awful same old story Made in Chelsea. One breaks up with the other person who had an affair. Viewers switch off,’ a third warned.
Many other social media users applauded Steph’s professionalism for her cheery performance, which occurred the day after the cancellation of Steph’s Packed Lunch was revealed.
One commented: ‘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. On Thursday, Channel 4 said in a statement it had decided against recommissioning Steph’s Packed Lunch due to ‘changing audience habits.’
Channel 4 previously stated that it terminated Steph’s Packed Lunch because it was prioritising programming investment to support its ‘digital-first agenda.’
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.’
No mention of the elephant in the room on #StephsPackedLunch …. very weird
— Jo Malley 🇪🇺 🍉 (@marciehatter) October 20, 2023
#StephsPackedLunch @channel4 Steph hasn't mentioned the show has been axed. I think the viewers should know how you're feeling. The show which should've been axed is awful same old story Made in Chelsea. One breaks up with the other person who.had an affair. Viewers switch off
— clarissa (@shabina8) October 20, 2023
I’m surprised the axing of #StephsPackedLunch wasn’t addressed today on the show. I hope there’s a u turn..
— MIKE (@mikepriestley13) October 20, 2023
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 👏🏻👏🏻
Just curious though, does anyone know when the last episode will be? They never gave a date 🤔
— 𝘛𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳 (@TwellyWatcher) October 20, 2023
They continued, crediting Steph for making lunchtimes across the nation ‘more entertaining’.
‘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, debuted in March 2020, barely one week after the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began.
The show was nominated for a Bafta in March of last year.
Steph’s Packed Lunch will continue to air on Channel 4 until the current contract expires in December 2023.
Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays from 12pm on Channel 4.
