Steph McGovern has denied that her Channel 4 show will be axed after it struggled to pull in viewers last week.
Steph’s Packed Lunch failed to ‘register’ any viewers at one point on Tuesday, September 22.
The daytime show ‘registered zero viewers’ at 12.56pm on Tuesday in official BARB ratings, according to the Daily Mirror.
BARB (Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board) is responsible for delivering the UK’s television audience measurement currency.
However, Steph is certain that her show isn’t going anywhere after one fan asked her on Twitter: ‘Is your show closing?’
The host simply responded: ‘Nope.’
Well, that’s that then!
The registered ‘zero ratings’ were recorded less than half an hour into the weekday show.
The programme was also up against ITV’s Loose Women, which peaked at a million viewers on the same day.
‘It was a tough call to go up against such an established and well-loved show as Loose Women and there’s no doubt the decision is hurting C4 and these ratings show it,’ a source explained.
‘ITV was always confident the Loose Women would see off their competition – and in fact, their numbers keep going up,’ they added to the Daily Mirror.
C4 said Tuesday’s show averaged around 87,000 viewers overall, which was down from the 93,000 it averaged on its first day on September 14.
However, when Steph aired the show from her home it pulled in 182,000 viewers.
The former BBC Breakfast star, 38, previously told Metro.co.uk that she would blame herself if the show wasn’t successful.
‘I’ve had dreams about everything going wrong, like what if no guests turn up or what if they start swearing on air. But that’s also why I love it,’ she explained.
‘I am an adrenaline junkie. I love live telly and pushing myself.’
She added: ‘When your name’s on the tin there’s no one else to blame if it’s rubbish. If it’s rubbish, it’s my fault.’
A spokesperson for Channel 4 explained: ‘On Tuesday Steph’s Packed Lunch attracted an average audience of 87,000 viewers from 12.30pm – 2.10pm and drew 204,000 at its peak. Daytime shows always take time to build their audience.
‘Steph has brought a blast of energy to our daytime line-up and we’re delighted with the live shows the team has produced.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Channel 4 and Steph McGovern’s rep for comment.
Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.
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