has bid with an emotional Instagram post, one week after the final episode.
On Friday, December 8, Steph and her team in October that had axed it, with appearances from and .
she said at the time: ‘I’m not going to waffle on because I can’t say anything emotional without doing that ugly crying.
‘But thank you for watching, thank you for everyone who’s been on the show.
‘I’ve loved it, and I am glad you have to. That is all from us here in Leeds. Look after yourselves, and goodbye!’
She was then shown walking in direction of a ‘job centre’ sign, and has now paid tribute to the people she worked with in a heartfelt post, as well as highlighting the ‘Northern powerhouse’ the show has built, and all the achievements that came with it.
Steph, 41, wrote: ‘This time last week – the final @packedlunchc4 team pic (not everyone is in it, but it’s a good chunk of us).
‘It’s been nearly 5 years since the show idea was pitched to me (I was battling pregnancy sickness and 3am starts on BBC Breakfast at the time).
‘The dealbreaker for me (after money 🤣) was that the show had to be authentic and reflect the real lives of our viewers AND our workplace had to make everyone feel welcome….whether you were with us for an hour or 4 years.
‘I am so proud of what our amazing team achieved so please allow me a moment to blow their trumpet…… 🎺
‘In 4 years – we turned a pub in Leeds Dock into a cracking TV studio (after starting the show in my house in lockdown), we employed loads of people from the local area (with many having never worked in telly before), we promoted talented people quickly, we provided work experience to countless people of all ages in all parts of the show (many of them getting jobs from this too) and we gave lots of people their first break presenting on the telly too.
‘We built a Northern powerhouse.
‘And on top of that we put out 675 episodes, got a BAFTA nomination, gave a voice to people/topics that other programmes didn’t and had a proper laugh along the way.
‘Thank you to everyone who made that happen and of course to all of our fabulous viewers who were a crucial part of our dysfunctional family too. The messages we’ve had from you have been incredible. Thank you ❤️.’
Friends, fans and guests of the show commented their love and support, with Ashley James writing: ‘You created the BEST show.’
Strictly star Oti Mabuse, who had previously , commented: ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Steph hadn’t but ahead of the finale posted a behind-the-scenes snap on Instagram of her cue cards and microphone.
She wrote: ‘For one last time……. today 12-2.10 @packedlunchc4 on @channel4 – episode 675.
‘My cue cards, my earpiece and my microphone.’
Channel 4 previously explained it cancelled Steph’s Packed Lunch because it was prioritising investing in content that helped drive its ‘digital-first strategy.’
The statement continued: ‘We remain as committed as ever to our mission to help level up the TV industry outside 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.’
In a statement sent to Metro.co.uk, a Channel 4 spokesperson said they were ‘incredibly proud of all that Steph’s Packed Lunch has achieved since its launch from Steph’s living room during lockdown nearly four years ago’.
‘We’re so grateful to Steph, Expectation, Can Can and the brilliant production team for creating a show that kick started our growth in the north of England.’
They continued, crediting Steph for making lunchtimes across the nation ‘more entertaining’.
‘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,’ they said.
Steph’s Packed Lunch, formerly known as The Steph Show, was first launched in March 2020, making its debut just a week after the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown began.
