Steph's Packed Lunch stars Denise Van Outen and Gemma Atkinson have said it is "so sad" to hear the news that the Channel 4 show will not continue in 2024.
The stars have broken their silence for the first time since the news of the show's axing hit headlines on Thursday, 19 October.
Denise, 49, expressed how "grateful" she is for the memories made on the show alongside Steph McGovern while admitting that it is "incredibly sad".
While Gemma, 38, shared her feelings as she said she was "sad to hear" that the show would be ending as in her opinion, it's a "b****y great show!"
Steph's Packed Lunch has been a massive hit since it launched in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and was initially broadcast from Steph’s living room in Harrogate.
But now Channel 4 has decided to pull the plug on Steph's Packed Lunch after just three years. The broadcaster announced that the show will wrap up in December.
Staff on the show were informed of the cut on Thursday, with the channel describing it as a "difficult decision". Denise took to Instagram to share a selfie alongside Steph as she broke her silence on the news.
In a heartfelt caption, she penned: "@channel4 have announced that @packedlunchc4 will not be returning in 2024. This is incredibly sad news for the whole team behind and in-front of the cameras.
"I’ve absolutely loved being part of this show. Steph started this show in her kitchen during lockdown then ended up being nominated for a bafta. What an achievement! I can honestly say that this show has been a joy from start to finish.
"Anyone who has had the pleasure of spending time with the team in Leeds will tell you what a nice bunch they are. I don’t think I’ve had this much fun working in tv since my Big Brekkie stint. Steph is hilarious! We’ve laughed our heads off most days."
Denise continued by sharing an insight into the behind-the-scenes friendships and memories shared during the filming of the popular daytime show.
She added: "There are no egos on this show, just a great group of people mucking in to make a fun inclusive entertainment show to put a smile on the viewers faces every weekday.
"@packedlunchc4 will be missed! I’m grateful for all the friendships and memories made."
Meanwhile Gemma took to her Instagram Stories to share her feelings on the show being axed with her 1.9million followers.
She shared a clip of the lunchtime show alongside an emotional caption.
The TV star wrote: "Sad to hear "packedlunchc4 is ending this year. Genuinely THE NICEST crew & team to work with & in my opinion a b****y great show!
"It had everything a daytime show should have. So proud of the whole team & Steph for getting the show to where it was from starting in lockdown in her kitchen. Bravo team!
"Thank you for allowing me to play a small part in such a wonderful show & giving me the chance to do live TV so many times. I've loved it…"
On another Story, Gemma shared that her four-year-old daughter Mia was also a fan of the show with an old clip.
She shared: "And so did Mia! Even she was 18 months she had good taste. Forever grateful to Steph and the team!"
Announcing the decision to axe the programme, Channel 4 said it is “incredibly proud” of all the show has achieved and credited it for “kick-starting” the channel’s growth in the north of England.
A 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.
The channel explained: "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."
They added: "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.”
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