TV favourite confirms return to BBC two years after Channel 4 axed daytime show

It's been nearly two years since Steph's Packed Lunch was taken off-air by Channel 4, but presenter Steph McGovern is finally returning to TV screens with a slew of new projects.

The TV star has announced her latest career move, which sees her rejoin the BBC as a presenter after leaving the broadcaster in 2019 to join Channel 4.

Steph, 43, fronted her own chat show on Channel 4 from 2020 until 2023, broadcasting daily from Leeds. Steph's Packed Lunch featured celebrity interviews, cooking segments and a breakdown of the day's headlines.

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The daytime TV show was dramatically axed in December 2023 following low viewing figures.

Steph has since appeared on other shows as a presenter, including Sunday Brunch, and took part in Netflix's reality series Bear Hunt.

The TV star is now returning to the BBC, revealing she's due to front two brand new programmes and get involved in an already established show.

"Big work news. I can’t tell you the specifics yet. But it involves hosting 3 shows all out in the next 12 months," Steph shared in an Instagram post.

"1) A brand new series on BBC One daytime (Not a magazine/chat show). 2) A brand series on BBC Two evenings (Still not a magazine/chat show).

"3) A longstanding TV programme that’s been going nearly as long as I have been alive. I AM ABSOLUTELY BUZZING!!!"

She refrained from sharing exact details and wrote in the caption: "Thank you to everyone who has been sending me such lovely messages about my new TV stuff coming up (even though I haven’t told you what they are yet).

"Sorry for those hoping it would be [Steph’s Packed Lunch] coming back……it’s deffo not that."

Steph was inundated with well-wishes from her followers, with many celebrating the confirmation of her TV return.

Sara Davies, star of Dragons' Den, said: "Can’t wait to see you back on our screens more often!!" while ex-Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffat added: "So glad you’re back."

A fan said, "Because you're brilliant. You inspire so many people and you never forget your roots," and another commented, "Amazing! But bring back Packed Lunch! It was great!"

Steph was previously part of the BBC Breakfast team as one of the show's longstanding presenters. She kicked off her career at the broadcaster answering phones for Radio 4's Money Box while studying, before becoming a current affairs researcher and then the producer of the financial news on the Today show.