News that TV favourite Steph McGovern has dropped her lockdown show has been met with huge disappointment from fans who welcomed it as a bit of light relief in the current darkness.
The Middlesbrough-born former BBC Breakfast presenter had chosen to air her new Channel 4 programme The Steph Show from her family home during the coronavirus crisis but now admits that she never expected the lockdown to last so long.
The magazine-style show had been due to launch from a studio in Leeds, with a live studio audience, but with the outbreak of coronavirus the business reporter instead launched it from her own house, with her mid-week lunchtime slot showing her chatting on Skype to celebrity guests and interviewing families coping with life under lockdown.
But McGovern says she now wants to postpone the rest of the show and reclaim her house for her family.
The presenter, who gave birth to a baby daughter in November, tweeted news of her decision on social media ahead of her midday show, telling her 400,000-plus Twitter followers: "As much as I've loved doing a lockdown show from home, I never expected it to go on this long.
"We've decided it's time to have a break and give my family our home back."
Fans were quick to respond to her message, sharing their disappointment but also their understanding of her decision, with one writing "It’s been great Steph! We loved being one of your families of the week. Enjoy some well-deserved family time."
Another said: "Bless you and your family; stay safe and hope to see you again on tv. I still miss having breakfast with you but I am now having to miss lunchtime with you till you return."
Among other replies were messages reading: "You’ll be missed, great show. Take care and stay safe and well" and "Well done Steph! Enjoy your family time".
McGovern's announcement also explained: "The proper prog will be launching when the Leeds studio is sorted." And she signed off, joking: "I may still be wearing slippers."
In the meantime, fans can still enjoy the popular presenter's new podcast, Not Bad for a Monday, which is also proving a hit with listeners.
Among them was an NHS worker who tweeted about how "it really has made me laugh when driving home from work after a stressful day" and adding that it is "much-needed in today's stressful world".
To catch up with the podcast episodes see here.
The last episode of The Steph Show will air on Channel 4 at midday on Thursday, May 7.
