Steph McGovern, the well-known television presenter, is preparing for a triumphant return to the BBC, where she will host an exciting new show after a five-year hiatus from the network.

McGovern, who is 43, initially departed from the BBC in 2019 when she took maternity leave. Following her break, she transitioned to Channel 4, where she became the face of her own show, Steph’s Packed Lunch. However, the series was removed from Channel 4’s lineup in 2023, paving the way for her latest venture back at the BBC.

In this new chapter, McGovern will lead The Big Deal, a captivating program where amateur art dealers compete against each other in the intriguing world of buying and selling artworks. This six-part series promises to bring a fresh perspective on the art trade.

Enthusiasts can look forward to the premiere of The Big Deal later this year, although the precise debut date is still under wraps.

The six-part limited series will premiere this year with the exact date yet to be announced. 

Steph said: While lots of people are happy to splash out on theatre tickets, music festivals or holidays abroad, spending time and money looking at or buying art can feel a bit more intimidating.’

Steph McGovern is set to make her return to the BBC to host a brand new TV show, five years after she quit to move to Channel 4 (pictured in December)

The presenter, 43, originally left the BBC in 2019 to go on maternity leave but later joined Channel 4 to host her own programme Steph’s Packed Lunch. But it was axed in 2023

She added to The Mirror: ‘This show dispels the myth that the art is exclusive. 

‘I’m buzzing for you to see how our dealers, from all walks of life, get on when we take them into the heart of the art market, and along all the arteries that stem from it, with the ultimate aim of making money.’ 

Steph, after working as BBC Breakfast’s business presenter and a programme co-host, began leading her own daytime chat show Steph’s Packed Lunch in 2020.

But after the Channel 4 programme was axed in 2023, viewers have been missing her presence on daytime TV. 

Back in October, Steph revealed she would be taking over legendary BBC series Crimewatch Live. 

Revealing she was back on screen, she posed for a photo alongside her co-presenter Rav Wilding. 

Smiling in a denim jumpsuit, Steph smiled at the camera as she wrote to her followers on X: ‘The news is out. Starting Monday #Crimewatch.’

In the background, the Crimewatch Live logo had been displayed on a TV screen.   

Steph will front new programme The Big Deal, in which a group of amateur art dealers battle it out as they buy and sell artworks (pictured in July)

Back in October, Steph revealed she would be taking over legendary BBC series Crimewatch Live 

Steph isn’t the only newcomer to the BBC show, with Scottish presenter Jennifer Reoch also part of the new line-up for the long-running series.

While Steph will feature on the programme for the first two Mondays and Tuesdays, with Jennifer filling in Wednesdays to Fridays, Steph will host the entire third week of shows. 

It’s been 40 years since the original Crimewatch, which combines the reconstruction of unsolved crimes and public appeals, series launched. 

Since launching as Crimewatch Live, the series has led to a number of breakthroughs for police, including arrests and charges.  

The new series, which will run for three weeks, will feature a new set of reconstructions, ‘wanted’ appeals and updates of ongoing cases. 

It’ll cover crimes that range from robbery to assault and murder.