Steph McGovern addresses Steph’s Packed Lunch axe after ‘building Northern powerhouse’

Steph McGovern said goodbye to Steph’s Packed Lunch with an emotional Instagram message one week after the final episode aired.

Steph and her crew wrapped up the programme on Friday, December 8, after Channel 4 cancelled it in October, with cameos from Chris Kamara and Russell Kane.

Walking out of the studio, she said at the time: ‘I’m not going to waffle on because I can’t say anything emotional without doing that ugly crying.

‘But thank you for watching, thank you for everyone who’s been on the show.

‘I’ve loved it, and I am glad you have to. That is all from us here in Leeds. Look after yourselves, and goodbye!’

She was then seen going towards a ’employment centre’ sign, and she has since paid thanks to the individuals she worked with in an emotional message, as well as underlining the show’s ‘Northern powerhouse’ and all the successes that come with it.

Steph, 41, wrote: ‘This time last week – the final @packedlunchc4 team pic (not everyone is in it, but it’s a good chunk of us).

‘It’s been nearly 5 years since the show idea was pitched to me (I was battling pregnancy sickness and 3am starts on BBC Breakfast at the time).

‘The dealbreaker for me (after money ) was that the show had to be authentic and reflect the real lives of our viewers AND our workplace had to make everyone feel welcome….whether you were with us for an hour or 4 years.

‘I am so proud of what our amazing team achieved so please allow me a moment to blow their trumpet……

‘In 4 years – we turned a pub in Leeds Dock into a cracking TV studio (after starting the show in my house in lockdown), we employed loads of people from the local area (with many having never worked in telly before), we promoted talented people quickly, we provided work experience to countless people of all ages in all parts of the show (many of them getting jobs from this too) and we gave lots of people their first break presenting on the telly too.

‘We built a Northern powerhouse.

‘And on top of that we put out 675 episodes, got a BAFTA nomination, gave a voice to people/topics that other programmes didn’t and had a proper laugh along the way.

‘Thank you to everyone who made that happen and of course to all of our fabulous viewers who were a crucial part of our dysfunctional family too. The messages we’ve had from you have been incredible. Thank you .’

Friends, fans and guests of the show commented their love and support, with Ashley James writing: ‘You created the BEST show.’

Oti Mabuse, who previously thanked the programme with altering her life, said, ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

Steph had not previously commented about the shocking revelation, but she did upload a behind-the-scenes photo of her cue cards and microphone on Instagram prior of the finale.

She wrote: ‘For one last time……. today 12-2.10 @packedlunchc4 on @channel4 – episode 675.

‘My cue cards, my earpiece and my microphone.’

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.’

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, formerly known as The Steph Show, was first launched in March 2020, making its debut just a week after the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began.

Source My Celebrity Life.