Steph McGovern's life from BBC exit to axed show and secret partner as she turns 42

Steph McGovern marks her 42nd birthday today and is likely celebrate her special day with loved ones away from the spotlight. The presenter is best known for her various hosting duties on the BBC before she moved on to front her own show Steph's Packed Lunch from 2020 to last year.

The host had been a part of the BBC team both behind and infront of the camera for a number of years across various programmes such as BBC Breakfast, Watchdog as well as Have I Got News For You. In 2019 while on maternity leave, she jumped ship to front Steph's Packed Lunch, which was initially launched from her home due to Covid, with the title The Steph Show.

At the time of her programme still being on air, she told Express.co.uk that there were no hard feelings with the BBC as it widely contributed to her "amazing career". She shared: "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.

“They gave me the opportunity to host my own show with my name in the title. It’s filmed in Leeds, which is amazing and close to home and closer to Middlesbrough where I am from." Just months after the interview, Steph learned the news that Channel 4 had decided to axe her show due to budget cuts.

In an emotional statement at the time, the presenter told fans she is “incredibly proud” of all the programme has achieved. Channel 4 also explained their reason for scrapping the show, writing: “Audience habits changing quicker than ever, we have to make difficult decisions about which programmes to invest in to best drive our digital-first strategy, and we have decided not to recommission Steph's Packed Lunch when its existing production contract ends in December 2023."

Steph has since continued working on various projects including her podcast with Robert Peston, The Rest Is Money.

Last month, she also made a return to Have I Got News For You, which prompted many calls for her to be on the show more often.

Steph juggles her schedule with being a mother-of-one to her four-year-old daughter, whose name is unkown.

The presenter shares her only child with her long-term girlfriend, believed to be a television executive, however her identity has also never been revealed.

While her personal life remains out of the spotlight, the presenter has briefly opened up about rules in her relationship and how compromising has been key.

Speaking to Yours Magazine, she shared: "What I’ve learned about relationships is you have to put in the effort.

"It’s about listening. For example, if I’m ill, I like to be left alone to get on with it – no fuss. Whereas my partner likes to be taken care of. What I used to do when she was ill was project what I would want, so I’d leave her alone.

"We’ve had to chat about these things. You’ve got to listen and make compromises."

In recent weeks, Steph also gushed over a new milestone for her little girl, which brought her to tears.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine at the TV Choice Awards, the presenter shared: "She had her first parents' evening the other night, and I really struggled not to get upset.

"Not because they said anything bad, but because all you want is for your child to be happy and kind."

She added: "She's going to have to start wearing a uniform soon. I'm going to have to pretend to her it's a costume because she's obsessed with costumes."