Former BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern has touched on whether she would return to the show amid Naga Munchetty’s upcoming departure.
Munchetty, 51, announced in July that she is moving to BBC Radio 5 Live next year following a slew of reported bullying accusations.
McGovern, meanwhile, stepped away from the BBC’s flagship morning programme in 2019 to front her own show, Steph’s Packed Lunch, on Channel 4.
The 44-year-old’s lunchtime show, which featured celebrity guests, food segments and entertainment, was cancelled in 2023 due to audience habits “changing quicker than ever”.
The North Shields-born presenter has since launched a podcast and fronted consumer shows, juggling work with looking after her six-year-old daughter, whose name she has not publicly revealed.
When asked by The Metro if she would go back to BBC Breakfast, she said: "My life goes in stages.”
Referring to her busy mum schedule, McGovern went on: “And this stage isn't one that involves getting up at half past three to go on telly."
Asked if she had any advice for Munchety following her exit from BBC Breakfast, she added: "I don't think I need to give Naga any advice, she's an all-round legend.
"I talk to her mainly to check in on how we are We don't discuss career things. She's a powerhouse in herself and brilliant at what she does."
McGovern’s former show began as The Steph Show before changing name and ran for 140 minutes. Anton Du Beke, Denise van Outen, and Greg Wise were all regular guests.
Munchetty, who earns up to £365,000 at the BBC, currently presents BBC Breakfast alongside Charlie Stayt every Thursday to Saturday, having joined the show in 2014.
She announced in July that she is quitting BBC Breakfast after 17 years on the show and moving to BBC Radio 5 Live in January.
The decision comes after she was reportedly placed under review last summer following complaints of bullying over a three-year period.
The broadcaster was accused of bullying a female colleague and making a “wildly unprofessional” off-air sex joke that left a co-worker “humiliated”. The investigation has since been “quietly closed”, The Sun reported.
