Steph McGovern is blowing out 39 candles on her birthday cake this Monday, ringing in the last year of her 30s with her nearest and dearest.
The broadcaster is a dynamo of British television, having been poached from BBC by rival network Channel 4 to host her namesake show.
Steph’s Packed Lunch runs every weekday on Channel 4, as Steph debates the latest in current affairs with a panel of celeb guests, from Katie Price to Chris Kamara.
While Steph is one of the biggest names in telly today, she worked hard to get where she is, winning awards throughout her illustrious career.
Marking Steph’s birthday, Daily Star has done a deep dive into everything you need to know about the star, from her family life to her hidden talents.
Happy birthday Steph!
Rise to fame
(Image: stephlunch/Instagram)
Born and raised in Middlesbrough, Steph initially had a very different career plan – far from the bright lights of television.
When she was in sixth form, Steph won an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, helping to carve out a future as an engineer.
Another major accolade followed when she was 19 and was awarded Young Engineer for Britain.
(Image: Channel 4)
However, her time at university showed a change in career goals, as she studied Science Communication and Policy at University College London.
Post-uni, she got her foot in the door with BBC as a researcher on Tomorrow’s World programme, before becoming the producer for Today on Radio 4.
The years that followed saw her climb the ranks at BBC, eventually becoming the business presenter for BBC Breakfast alongside the likes of Louise Minchin and Dan Walker.
BBC exit
(Image: PA)
Steph announced her exit from BBC in October 2019, with Dan Walker describing her BBC Breakfast departure as a “big loss” to the team.
It was confirmed she would launch her namesake show, Steph’s Packed Lunch, on Channel 4 the following spring, swapping networks.
Steph, who was pregnant at the time, said in a statement: “This is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to get started next year. Just a small matter of having a baby first!
“It’s going to be nerve-wracking, but there’s nothing I love more than finding out what makes people tick, whether it’s a famous face or someone we haven’t met yet who has a cracking story to tell.”
Bidding his farewell to his co-star, Dan admitted: “She will be a big loss but she’ll also be fantastic at her new gig and we wish her all the best. Well done @stephbreakfast (I imagine you’ll have to change that now). Consistently brilliant.”
Steph’s Packed Lunch launched just as the Covid pandemic swept the country, meaning Steph was forced to film the initial episodes from her home.
The show’s ratings got off to a rocky start, but with time, the chat show has garnered a loyal following of viewers, successfully getting into its stride.
Secret talent
(Image: WireImage)
Steph’s talents seem to know no bounds, as she has won awards for one very niche pursuit – she is a champion Irish dancer.
The mum-of-one occasionally attends international competitions to help coach junior dancers, putting her own expert knowledge to the test.
Steph once demonstrated her talent on BBC Breakfast back in 2012, kicking off her shoes and taking to the studio floor to Irish dance before the cameras.
With Kate Winslet appearing in the studio, Steph performed the dance routine as a tribute to the Irish dancing scene in her favourite film Titanic.
Perhaps a stint on The Masked Dancer could be on the cards?
Family life
(Image: Getty Images)
Steph keeps her family life out of the spotlight, and, as a result, the name of her girlfriend has not been publicly announced.
She has revealed, however, her long-term partner works as a TV executive, with the pair welcoming their first child together in November 2019.
Sharing the happy news with fans, Steph said: “Well hello world, just surfaced to let you know that we now have a daughter!
“Born on Monday morning just as @BBCBreakfast was wrapping up.
(Image: PA)
“We’re all fine and dandy. Just getting used to the eau de sick/poo I am now regularly wearing. #babylife.”
Steph has yet to share her daughter’s name with fans.
The happy family of three live together in a sprawling pad in Yorkshire, which Steph’s Packed Lunch viewers were chuffed to get a peek at while Steph filmed from home last year.
As seen by fans, they’ve decked the kitchen out with an angular island unit, matte hanging light features, and sophisticated dark wooden furnishings.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
