Steph McGovern opened the last ever episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch with an emotional speech.
The Channel 4 daytime show was axed after three years amid a slew of cancellations with the broadcaster reportedly battling to cut costs amid financial challenges.
Opening the episode with her co-workers gathered around her, Steph said: ‘Today is our last show so we have got everyone here. Today is a proper family affair.’
It is really lovely to have you all here and everyone watching at home. One of the reasons I have loved doing this show is because it is in the north. We get to shout out about all the creative things the north has to offer.
‘It has been amazing to broadcast live from Leeds everyday. We have talked a lot of about the north, south divide, whether that really exists, what it means for jobs, transport and wealth and a lot of that being so London centric. I want to celebrate the north today.’
Steph McGovern opened the last ever episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch with an emotional speech
Steph’s Packed Lunch started in 2020 with the presenter hosting the show from her own living room during lockdown.
It was confirmed in October Channel 4 had decided not to renew the show for another series and would let it finish in December.
A statement said: ‘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 and we have decided not to recommission Steph’s Packed Lunch when its existing production contract ends in December 2023.
‘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.’
A spokesperson for the producers, Expectation and Can Can told MailOnline: ‘We’ve had over three fantastic years producing Steph’s Packed Lunch together and working with the brilliant Steph McGovern and the outstanding on-screen family of talent. We’re very disappointed that despite building a loyal audience we don’t get to continue brightening up 12-2 on Channel 4.
‘Leeds didn’t have a live television community four years ago and it’s been a privilege to build a team which boasts some of the brightest, sharpest TV producers in the country.’
However it has also been claimed the show’s struggle in the ratings were another contributing factor to its axe.
According to The Sun, the show hit a ratings low at one point in September 2020, when official stats showed not a single person tuned in for one episode at 12:56pm.
In response, a spokesperson insisted the show averaged 87,000 viewers from 12.30pm-2.10pm.
The show did improve in the ratings since then with last week’s shows watched by 142,000 on Monday, 136,000 on Tuesday, 142,000 on Wednesday and 171,000 on Thursday.