Steph’s Packed Lunch will come to an end on Channel 4 in December, it has been announced.
The lunchtime show launched in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and was initially broadcast from Steph McGovern’s living room in Harrogate before moving to Leeds.
Announcing the decision to axe the programme, Channel 4 said it is “incredibly proud” of all the show has achieved and credited it for “kick-starting” the channel’s growth in the north of England.
The broadcaster said the budget for the show will now be reallocated to other programmes in the nations and regions.
A 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 per cent origination out of London target.
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“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, which airs on weekdays at 12 noon, features celebrity guests, discussions, games and cookery segments.
Last month ITV's This Morning poached Channel 4's exec producer Vivek Sharma, who worked alongside McGovern and is reportedly "a huge champion" of hers, meaning the star could be in the running to take over from Holly Willoughby.
Speaking at the Attitude awards last week about whether she would be interested in a move to This Morning, McGovern told The Standard: "I'm very happy at Channel 4 doing Steph's Packed Lunch but never say never."
Steph's Packed Lunch axing comes following a slew of cancellations with the broadcaster, including Naked Attraction, Scared Of The Dark and Rescue: Extreme Medics.
