{"id":374624,"date":"2025-08-26T09:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T09:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/374624\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T09:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T09:53:12","slug":"bbc-legend-confirms-tv-comeback-2-years-after-being-axed-from-channel-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/374624\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC legend confirms TV comeback 2 years after being axed from Channel 4"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_263365210-3461.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23999571\" alt=\"Steph McGovern attends the Celebrity Bear Hunt screening at the Odeon West End in London.\" decoding=\"sync\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tSteph McGovern has confirmed details of new presenting gigs (Picture: Lia Toby\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>Former <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/bbc-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC<\/a> presenter <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/steph-mcgovern\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steph McGovern<\/a> has confirmed she will be returning to TV presenting with two new shows, after her daytime show was dramatically axed by <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/channel-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Channel 4<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The 43-year-old hosted <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/10\/19\/stephs-packed-lunch-axed-channel-4-19690697\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steph\u2019s Packed Lunch<\/a> at the midday slot on the broadcaster until 2023, when the show was <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/01\/09\/steph-mcgovern-brushes-off-channel-4-axe-first-day-back-work-20087019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">taken off the air on account of low viewership<\/a> and changing linear TV habits.<\/p>\n<p>The show logged 675 episodes as well as a BAFTA nomination, broadcasting daily from Leeds with a magazine-style mix of celebrity interviews, cooking segments and discussion of the day\u2019s headlines.<\/p>\n<p>McGovern has now shared that she will be making an imminent TV presenting return, but this time at her old stomping ground on the BBC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Taking to Instagram, Steph shared details on the not one, but two brand new BBC programmes she is set to helm.<\/p>\n<p>She wrote: \u2018Big work news. I can\u2019t tell you the specifics yet. But it involves hosting 3 shows all out in the next 12 months\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"998\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_175585462-e576.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23999566\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Steph McGovern attends The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2023 at The Roundhouse on October 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Chapman\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tMcGovern will be back on the BBC (Picture: Alan Chapman\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"969\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_228497126-06c9.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23999564\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Steph McGovern attends a special screening of new BBC Three comedy \" smoggie=\"\" queens=\"\" at=\"\" the=\"\" curzon=\"\" soho=\"\" on=\"\" november=\"\" in=\"\" london=\"\" england.=\"\" by=\"\" alan=\"\" chapman=\"\" benett=\"\" images=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tMcGovern has kept exact details under wraps for now (Picture: Alan Chapman\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>\u20181) A brand new series on BBC One daytime (Not a magazine\/chat show).<\/p>\n<p>\u20182) A brand series on BBC Two evenings (Still not a magazine\/chat show).<\/p>\n<p>\u20183) A longstanding TV programme that\u2019s been going nearly as long as I have been alive. I AM ABSOLUTELY BUZZING!!!\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Keeping mum on the exact details, she wrote in the caption: \u2018Thank you to everyone who has been sending me such lovely messages about my new TV stuff coming up (even though I haven\u2019t told you what they are yet). <\/p>\n<p>\u2018Sorry for those hoping it would be [Steph\u2019s Packed Lunch] coming back\u2026\u2026it\u2019s deffo not that.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/dragons-den\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dragons\u2019 Den<\/a> star Sara Davies wrote in the comments section: \u2018Can\u2019t wait to see you back on our screens more often!!\u2019 as <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/gogglebox\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gogglebox<\/a> alum Scarlett Moffat added alongside a string of clapping emojis: \u2018So glad you\u2019re back.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tWhat did Steph McGovern say about the Channel 4 axe?\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/10\/26\/john-whaite-comforted-after-losing-stephs-packed-lunch-job-19723166\/?ico=mosaic_tag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">As Steph McGovern walked out of her Channel 4 studio for the final time,<\/a>\u00a0she said: \u2018I\u2019m not going to waffle on because I can\u2019t say anything emotional without doing that ugly crying.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018But thank you for watching, thank you for everyone who\u2019s been on the show. I\u2019ve loved it, and I am glad you have to. That is all from us here in Leeds. Look after yourselves, and goodbye!\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The host was then shown walking in direction of a \u2018job centre\u2019 sign. She <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/12\/16\/steph-mcgovern-addresses-stephs-packed-lunch-axe-emotional-statement-19984157\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">paid tribute to those she worked with in a heartfelt post<\/a>, as well as highlighting the \u2018Northern powerhouse\u2019 the show built.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It\u2019s 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),\u2019 she wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The dealbreaker for me (after money \ud83e\udd23) 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\u2026.whether you were with us for an hour or 4 years.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I am so proud of what our amazing team achieved so please allow me a moment to blow their trumpet\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2018In 4 years \u2013 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We 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\u2019t and had a proper laugh along the way.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Thank 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\u2019ve had from you have been incredible.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_237521551-4d22.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23999563\" alt=\"Undated handout photo issued by Netflix of Steph McGovern, one of the contestants in Celebrity Bear Hunt, which launches on Netflix on February 5. Issue date: Monday January 27, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ CelebrityBearHunt. Photo credit should read: Ray Burmiston\/Netflix\/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tShe was part of the now-cancelled Celebrity Bear Hunt (Picture: Ray Burmiston\/Netflix\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n<p>Prior to her turn at Channel 4, McGovern was a mainstay on the Beeb, as one of the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/03\/bbc-breakfast-star-warned-friend-becoming-fame-obsessed-23569735\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">longtime presenters on BBC Breakfast<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>McGovern stepped into the presenting role at Broadcasting House after first answering the phones for Radio 4\u2019s Money Box while at university.<\/p>\n<p>She went on to become a current affairs researcher at the BBC and then the producer of the financial news on the Today programme, before stepping in front of the camera for BBC Breakfast.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, she appeared on the Holly Willoughby-hosted Netflix reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt, which pitted a bunch of celebs against the wiles of Bear Grylls and saw McGovern finish a finalist. She also hosts The Rest Is Money podcast with Robert Peston.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"comment-now metro-button metro-comments-cta\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tComments<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/08\/26\/rob-rinder-working-elizabeth-hurley-perfectly-camp-experience-23995317\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rob Rinder: \u2018Working with Elizabeth Hurley was the most perfectly camp experience\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/08\/25\/celebrity-sas-dares-winners-revealed-shock-result-brutal-finale-23996382\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Celebrity SAS: Who Dares winners revealed in shock result after brutal finale<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/08\/25\/dragons-den-entrepreneurs-branded-delusional-now-investing-30-000-000-booming-business-23994647\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dragons\u2019 Den business branded \u2018delusional\u2019 and \u2018a disaster\u2019 is now worth \u00a340,000,000<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTV Newsletter<\/p>\n<p>Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Steph McGovern has confirmed details of new presenting gigs (Picture: Lia Toby\/Getty Images) Former BBC presenter Steph McGovern&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":374625,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3937],"tags":[192,411,77,122328,382,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-374624","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-bbc","9":"tag-channel-4","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-steph-mcgovern","12":"tag-tv","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115094461210934698","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/374625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}