Steph’s Packed Lunch airs for final time and viewers are deeply disappointed

Steph’s Packed Lunch has come to an end (Picture: Channel 4)

Steph’s Packed Lunch is on air for the final time and viewers are absolutely gutted.

Channel 4 announced in October that the daytime show was getting axed, and Steph McGovern was back on screen with the likes of Chris Kamara, Russell Kane, Simon Rimmer and more all returning to the studio.

The final episode has been every bit as chaotic as fans have come to love, and plenty of people were left baffled by the decision to call time on the programme.

‘Sad that this is the last #StephsPackedLunch, it’s been such a fun, informative programme. Thanks Steph & Co,’ wrote @_PaulaAllison on X (formerly Twitter).

‘Can’t understand why channel 4 are getting rid of #StephsPackedLunch its informative,’ added @Kazters, while @Sionaainn bemoaned: ‘Not sure what @channel4 were thinking cancelling #StephsPackedLunch’

And viewer @CooperS111s sarcastically wrote: ‘This is a brilliant show so @Channel4 cancels it 😳#StephsPackedLunch’

Steph’s show is coming to an end (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock for BAFTA)

The host, 41, hadn’t spoken out about the shock news until now, and ahead of the finale, posted a behind-the-scenes snap on Instagram of her cue cards and microphone.

She wrote: ‘For one last time……. today 12-2.10 @packedlunchc4 on @channel4 – episode 675.

‘My cue cards, my earpiece and my microphone.’

Her post was showered in love, with regular guests Gemma Atkinson and Ashley James sharing their support.

Steph teased the final episode with a behind-the-scenes pic (Picture: @stephlunch)

The likes of Oti Mabuse and John Whaite had previously addressed the axe, with former Strictly pro Oti crediting it for ‘changing her life’.

Meanwhile, Bake Off star John said at the time that the Steph’s Packed Lunch team had been ‘blindsided’ by the news of the axe, with ‘the rug pulled out from underneath them, which is really, really terrible.’

He also announced that he’d be quitting TV for good after the axe.

Channel 4 previously explained it cancelled Steph’s Packed Lunch because it was prioritising investing in content that helped drive its ‘digital-first strategy.’

The statement continued: ‘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.’

In a statement sent to Metro.co.uk, a Channel 4 spokesperson said they were ‘incredibly proud of all that Steph’s Packed Lunch has achieved since its launch from Steph’s living room during lockdown nearly four years ago’.

Steph hadn’t addressed the axe until today (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock for BAFTA)

‘We’re so grateful to Steph, Expectation, Can Can and the brilliant production team for creating a show that kick started our growth in the north of England.’

They continued, crediting Steph for making lunchtimes across the nation ‘more entertaining’.

‘Steph has not only made the nation’s lunchtimes more entertaining and brilliantly reflected the views and pre-occupations of the country, but the show has also been an outstanding springboard for developing local talent behind the scenes,’ they said.

Steph’s Packed Lunch, formerly known as The Steph Show, was first launched in March 2020, making its debut just a week after the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began.

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The Channel 4 show has come to an end.