She has a degree in science communication and policy from University College London, 10 years of experience in financial journalism, and was once named Young Engineer of the Year (for saving Black & Decker £1m by tweaking the design for a leaf-blower).
So what on earth could any viewer possibly have against BBC Breakfast’s business presenter Steph McGovern?
Her accent, apparently, is “a terrible affliction”.
McGovern, who was born and brought up in Middlesbrough, has revealed how her first foray in front of the camera (she had worked for years as a producer behind the scenes) prompted some excruciatingly snobbish viewer feedback.
The 32-year-old told the Sunday Express magazine: “I even got one letter that politely said, ‘Dear Ms McGovern, I watched you on BBC Breakfast. I’m sorry about your terrible affliction. Here’s £20 towards correction therapy.’
“The affliction they were talking about was my accent!”
For the record, this northern Monkey loves McGovern’s accent, which is a refreshing change from the likes of the Pestons and Webbs of Auntie’s morning bulletins.
Monkey is also proud to say that the Guardian’s Media desk is perhaps the most diverse in Guardian Towers when it comes to regional accents: Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, cockney – and even Kiwi – are all present and correct. Just don’t ask any of us to talk on the telly …
