Steph McGovern misses start of her Channel 4 show due to train delays

By Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter

Steph McGovern missed the start of her Channel 4 daytime show due to delays on her train journey to Leeds.

The 41-year-old presenter had been at the Attitude Awards in London on Wednesday night before travelling back to host Steph’s Packed Lunch on Thursday.

She documented her delays in Instagram stories showing her in a LNER service alongside fellow presenter Ashley James.

Will @StephLunch make it to Leeds before the end of the show? 😱

🎫 And, more importantly, can she get a refund on her train ticket? Money Saving Expert's @GarethRShaw has the answer... #SimonsPackedLunch @simonrim pic.twitter.com/kk1cNuOPuD

— Steph's Packed Lunch (@PackedLunchC4) October 12, 2023

McGovern said their train was running 90 minutes late before being terminated at Grantham, which is around 80 miles (130 km) from Leeds Dock – where Steph’s Packed Lunch is filmed.

They then took a taxi – which they said had to be swapped out for another cab in Doncaster – while TV chef and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Simon Rimmer took on presenting the start of the programme.

Phoning into her show during the consumer affairs segment, she said: “I’m excited to be on Simon’s Packed Lunch, can’t believe this… We were coming up from London because I was at the Attitude Awards last night, great night. I didn’t actually drink – or did I?

“(I) jumped on the train this morning, I was on the 7.03 (service) and then not long into it, it stopped (and) came to a shuddering halt, I threw a coffee all over myself, a cold one, an ice one, so no injuries but I smell and I’m damp.

“The train stopped, an hour and a half later we still hadn’t moved, we ended up getting booted off at Grantham… our taxi driver had to stop because he had to pick up an old woman that he didn’t want to let down… so had to swap cars… (and) we’re now on the final car on our way.

“What I want to know is the compensation, man?”

McGovern was told by Gareth Shaw, deputy editor of the MoneySavingExpert website, that she would be entitled to delay repay compensation.

She's BACK 🎉 #SimonsPackedLunch was fun while it lasted! pic.twitter.com/NT1lXrnLDu

— Steph's Packed Lunch (@PackedLunchC4) October 12, 2023

According to Channel 4, McGovern arrived at 12.30pm after missing the first 30 minutes of her show.

Rimmer told audiences: “Welcome back to Simon’s Packed Lunch” before McGovern arrived and took over her show again.

A spokesperson for LNER said: “Unfortunately, due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today, there has been disruption on the East Coast Main Line.

“Our social media channels include information about this disruption, including an apology for any inconvenience caused.”

Steph’s Packed Lunch is on weekdays from midday on Channel 4.