Steph's Packed Lunch axed by Channel 4 as channel shares 'difficult decision'

Steph's Packed Lunch has been axed by Channel 4. The lunchtime show is ending after three years due to "audience habits changing", the broadcaster said.

The show, hosted by Steph McGovern, is broadcast from Leeds Dock as part of the channel's commitment to work on more productions outside of London. Its existing production contract ends in December 2023 and will not be renewed.

Channel 4 said in a statement: "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."

Read next: Great British Bake Off fans are saying the same thing about Chocolate Week

Read next: Read more of today's top stories from the Manchester Evening News

It said the budget committed to the show would be reinvested into other nations and regional productions.

The show originally launched as The Steph Show in March 2020 and had to be broadcast from the presenter's house due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It returned later that summer under the new name of Steph's Packed Lunch.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.