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Former BBC Breakfast host Steph McGovern said she’s been dumped several times (Image: BBC)
Former BBC Breakfast star Steph McGovern has opened up about the “utter heartbreak” she’s experienced in her love life. The 43-year-old typically keeps her private life firmly out of the spotlight, with little known about her past relationships.
Steph McGovern, once a familiar face on BBC Breakfast, has recently shared insights into the deep emotional pain she’s faced in her personal relationships. At 43, McGovern is known for keeping her personal affairs under wraps, with scant details available about her romantic history.
In a rare moment of openness, the television host admitted to having faced rejection “numerous times” in past relationships.
Discussing music that evokes powerful memories, Steph mentioned how Nerina Pallot’s “All Bets Off” resonates with her during difficult times.
“It’s a song about heartbreak, the one I turn to when I’ve been dumped,” she explained to The Guardian. “Throughout my life, I’ve faced breakups in various forms, and this track reminds me of the sheer heartbreak and the feeling that I might never recover.”
However, Steph’s fortunes took a positive turn when she met her current partner, a BBC executive, who prefers to remain unnamed.
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Steph McGovern confirmed her pregnancy news in 2019 (Image: GETTY)
The pair were reportedly friends for quite some time before their relationship turned romantic.
In 2019, they announced they were expecting their first child together – a daughter, who is now six.
Previously opening up about her decision to keep her family life private, she told us: “I would just get too mad if I started reading negative things about them.
“My daughter has no choice and my partner’s not in the public eye, so I wouldn’t want to subject them to the opinions of others.”
While her partner’s identity remains undisclosed, Steph has shared insights into what makes their relationship work.
Speaking to Yours magazine, she revealed they follow a simple rule.
Steph McGovern with her former BBC Breakfast co-stars (Image: PA)
“If we’re miffed about something, we have 24 hours in which to voice it. It means we have some cracking rows, but we solve things fairly quickly,” the presenter shared.
“It might be over something small like the dishwasher, but that’s why you’ve got 24 hours to make your point – so it doesn’t grow into a massive collection of things one of us has done.”
Over time, the presenter says she has learned that strong relationships require effort and an understanding of each other’s needs.
“It’s about listening,” she explained. “For example, if I’m ill, I like to be left alone to get on with it – no fuss. Whereas my partner likes to be taken care of.”
Steph turned her heartache around several years ago (Image: GETTY)
In a more recent update, Steph offered fans a glimpse into her half-term break with her family. Although neither her daughter nor her partner appeared in the photos, the Deadline author shared her joy at spending quality time together.
“After a crazy couple of months of non-stop work and hardly seeing my family, this holiday was much needed,” she wrote.
“Hanging out together on the beach and in the pool, reading great books by fab authors, drinking and eating my favourite holiday treats, barely looking at my phone (!) and most importantly, crafting, exploring and playing with my little girl, who will soon be six years old – time goes sooooo fast.”
She concluded on her Instagram page: “This holiday was a great reminder of the need to slow down every so often, which I am rubbish at.”
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.