Steph's Packed Lunch (formerly aired as The Steph Show) is a British daytime television programme that was broadcast on Channel 4 each weekday afternoon from March 2020 until December 2023. The show was presented by English journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern. The show was live and featured items including showbiz interviews, food, news, and consumer advice. It was broadcast from Leeds Dock.[1]

Steph's Packed Lunch
Genre
Presented bySteph McGovern
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Rebecca Papworth
  • Ben Wicks
  • Peter Fincha
Production locationLeeds, United Kingdom
EditorVivek Sharma
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time130 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companies
  • Expectation North
  • Can Can Productions
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release30 March 2020 (2020-03-30) –
8 December 2023 (2023-12-08)
Related
The Steph Show

Format edit

The show featured a live audience[2] with regular guests such as Anton Du Beke, Denise van Outen, and Greg Wise.[3][4] In addition, the show typically featured celebrity guests with cooking and lifestyle segments and the "One O'Clock Views" which covered the day's headlines.[5][6]

The show originally started broadcasting at 12:30 p.m. which made it a rival to ITV's Loose Women.[7][8]

History edit

As The Steph Show edit

In late 2019, Channel 4 announced that a new live daytime programme presented by McGovern called The Steph Show had been commissioned, with a specially built studio overlooking Leeds Docks.[9]

The Steph Show started broadcasting on 30 March 2020 after being brought forward, just one week after lockdown was announced. After leaving BBC Breakfast, several senior BBC staff worked on her new programme.[10][11]

COVID-19 pandemic edit

As a result of the coronavirus lockdown The Steph Show started broadcasting from McGovern's house. However, this caused logistical problems and it was announced that the show would be taken off air for a while. It was later announced in Summer 2020 that The Steph Show had been rebranded as Steph's Packed Lunch.[12][13]

As Steph's Packed Lunch edit

The renamed show started on 14 September 2020.[14] In February 2021, McGovern announced on Twitter that the show had been commissioned for another series.[15] In July 2021, comedian Joe Lycett stormed off the set of the show as a stunt for raising awareness of white plastics and recycling for his consumer show Joe Lycett's Got Your Back.[16] For Channel 4's Black to Front Day (10 September 2021), former Spice Girl Mel B presented the show advocating for greater diversity.[17]

In October 2023, Channel 4 confirmed that the programme would end after three years on the air. The broadcaster cited low viewer numbers as part of the reason. The final Steph's Packed Lunch was broadcast on 8 December 2023.[18]

References edit

  1. ^ Darvill, Josh (3 September 2020). "Steph's Packed Lunch start date and line up confirmed". TellyMix. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  2. ^ Jones, Craig (11 August 2020). "The Steph Show is returning and here's how you can be part of it". LeedsLive. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Steph's Packed Lunch - All 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  4. ^ Tinson, Emma (21 June 2021). "Anton Du Beke says he 'just about' gets paid for Strictly Come Dancing 'Let me judge!'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ^ "When is Steph's Packed Lunch on TV next? TV Guide UK TVguide.co.uk, Film, Soaps, Sports News, Freeview". TVGuide.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  6. ^ Rouse, Sabina (11 June 2021). "Steph's Packed Lunch segment on 'cardening' sparks confusion amongst viewers". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. ^ Kitchener, Shaun (14 October 2020). "Mark my words, Steph McGovern's Packed Lunch can be as popular as Loose Women". Metro. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  8. ^ "CHANNEL 4 ORDER EXTENDED STEPH'S PACKED LUNCH". TVZoneUK. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ Johnson, Kristian (6 March 2020). "Channel 4 announce where The Steph Show will be filmed in Leeds". LeedsLive. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  10. ^ "The Steph Show to be broadcast live from McGovern's home because of coronavirus". Prolific North. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Channel 4 refutes report that The Steph Show will be cancelled". Prolific North. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  12. ^ Milward, Charlie (29 April 2020). "The Steph Show boss reveals real reason Channel 4 show taken off air: 'We had to'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Steph McGovern's Channel 4 show to return as Steph's Packed". Media Mole. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  14. ^ Slater, Jack (14 September 2020). "When is Steph McGovern's new show Steph's Packed Lunch on and how to watch?". Metro. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Steph McGovern celebrates some seriously happy news with fans". HELLO!. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Joe Lycett explains why he 'stormed off' Steph's Packed Lunch". The Independent. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  17. ^ Codrai, Lorna (9 September 2021). "Mel B taking over Steph's Packed Lunch for special Channel 4 episode". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  18. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (19 October 2023). "Steph's Packed Lunch axed after three years". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 October 2023.

External links edit