Channel 4 has confirmed that Steph McGovern's lunchtime magazine show Steph's Packed Lunch has been axed after almost four years.

The programme launched in March 2020 during the coronavirus lockdown - initially broadcasting live from McGovern's own house, before relocating to a Leeds studio later in the year.

The show has since expanded to occupy a significant chunk of Channel 4's daytime schedule, airing for almost 11 hours every week, but will come to an end this Christmas.

A C4 statement said: "Steph has not only made the nation's lunchtimes more entertaining and brilliantly reflected the views and pre-occupations of the country, but the show has also been an outstanding springboard for developing local talent behind the scenes.

"However, with 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.

"We remain as committed as ever to our mission to help level up the TV industry outside London and to our 50% origination out of London target. We will be reinvesting the budget previously committed to Steph's Packed Lunch into other nations and regions productions.

"We have almost 500 roles outside of London and this will continue to increase over the next few years. We will continue to build on the legacy of the show, evolving what we do in line with our digital ambitions whilst continuing to reflect the lives of, and give a voice to, all our audiences across the UK and hope to work with Steph on other projects soon."

According to the latest ratings figures, the show averages an audience of 140,000 viewers a day.