Steph McGovern on why she decided to leave BBC Breakfast for Channel 4

Steph McGovern visits James Cook University Hospital

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Steph’s Packed Lunch presenter Steph McGovern, 40, has provided an insight into why she chose to leave BBC Breakfast and join Channel 4 in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk. The former Business Presenter spoke about her changing career as part of a wider interview about a new venture she was exploring with health expert Dr. Julia Jones.

Steph left BBC Breakfast in October 2019 to join Channel 4, with the expectation being that she would host a show called Steph’s Talks from spring 2020 in Leeds.

However, due to the pandemic, she began presenting The Steph Show from her front room in March 2020 and eventually went on to officially launch Steph’s Packed Lunch in September of that same year. 

Opening up on why she chose to leave the BBC, Steph admitted it was because Channel 4 had offered her a big step up.

“I had an amazing career at the BBC,” she reflected. “And the only reason why I left the BBC was because I went on maternity leave, and then Channel 4 soon after approached me with an offer I couldn’t refuse – sounds like a Bond film!

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“They gave me the opportunity to host my own show with my name in the title,” she added. 

“It’s filmed in Leeds, which is amazing and close to home and closer to Middlesbrough where I am from. 

“I’ve been really fortunate that I’ve had an amazing career and everyone I’ve worked for and with pretty much I’ve loved and everything’s just happy and has a natural cycle,” she continued.

“I was at the BBC for 15 years, so when I started as a broadcast assistant, I was behind the scenes for a long time before I went on camera.

“I have a massive fondness for the BBC and I’m having a great time at Channel 4,” Steph concluded.

Over the past few years, Steph has also been very open about her struggles with her IBS on TV, which has helped make other people more comfortable to talk about their health publicly.

According to the NHS website, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. 

It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation – and it’s usually a lifelong problem.

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Steph met Dr. Julia Jones when she came to be interviewed on Steph’s Packed Lunch about her book Neuron: Smart Wellness Made Easy.

Speaking about the first time she met Julia, Steph said: “Up to that point I’d been struggling with IBS forever. 

“And at that point I’d just accepted that I’ve got it and I can’t do anything about it.”

However, since adopting Julia’s “smart wellness” plan, the presenter claims her life has completely changed. 

In fact, their partnership was so transformative for Steph, that the star has now invested in Dr Jones’ start-up company Neuron, which has opened a new wellness centre in Folkestone, Kent. 

“Julia’s programme has totally transformed my life,” Steph gushed. “I know that sounds really dramatic, but my IBS is really debilitating. Now my IBS is in total control and I very rarely now have any problems.” 

Julia and Steph are now on a mission to encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, using techniques such as intermittent fasting, introducing variety into your diet, improving sleep patterns, cold water exposure and breathing practices.

The Neuron smart wellness hub and live bacteria bar is located in the Creative Quarter at 23-25 Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JU. 

For more info about Neuron’s smart wellness courses and products including gut health tests please visit www.neuronwellness.com

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