Strictly star replaces Steph McGovern on Steph's Packed Lunch after axe

27 October 2023 , 16:07

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Strictly star replaces Steph McGovern on Steph's Packed Lunch after axe

In a bizarre twist, BBC's Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke replaced Steph McGovern on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch for the final episode of the week- just days after the broadcaster announced the show was being axed.

Earlier this month Channel 4 said that the budget for the show will now be reallocated to other programmes in the nations and regions. Announcing his news on social media, the Strictly star told fans: "#ASKANTONANYTHING. Join me for lunch, my loves… Channel 4, 12 noon sharp – I’ll be your host today on Steph’s Packed Lunch! As well as our marvellous array of guests, we have a special feature… #AskAntonAnything!"

Strictly's Anton Du Beke replaced Steph McGovern on her show Steph's Packed Lunch (BBC)

He added: "Send in your questions using the comments below, Whatsapp 075 33 400 400 or email [email protected] – and yours truly will endeavour to answer on today’s show! Anton XX" And fans quickly rushed to respond. One person wrote: "Questions: 1. Is this an audition for a Chat Show? 2. What really happened in Wigan?" Another said: "All ready and waiting" While a third fan commented: "Gosh Tony, what a treat." Last week, news emerged that the show will not continue to air and the last episodes will be shown in December. And this left fans reeling with anger.

But in a bid to quell the anger, a spokesperson for Channel 4 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. 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. 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."

Channel 4 announced that the show is set to be axed and the final episodes will be in December

They added: "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." But it seems as though Steph may have been blindsided as she claimed at a recent event that she was "happy" at Channel 4. When asked by the Mailonline if she was set to be Holly Willoughby's replacement on This Morning, she replied saying: ""I'm very happy at Channel 4, but never say never."

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The Channel 4 show, has been presented by Steph McGovern, 41, since 2020. The show is live and features items including showbiz interviews, food, news, and consumer advice and is broadcast from Leeds Dock. Steph's career started when she landed work experience at the BBC for Tomorrow's World before becoming a full-time researcher in current affairs. She became the main producer for daily financial news on the Today programme on Radio 4, before becoming the lead producer of business news on BBC's One, Six and Ten O'Clock news bulletins.

In 2010, she then joined BBC Breakfast as their main business presenter and also teamed up with Welsh presenter Alex Jones to host Shop Well for Less in 2016. In 2022, Steph was keen to take part in a more light-hearted role and appeared on The Masked Dancer as Tomato Sauce.

Lucretia Munro