Strictly's John Whaite has quit TV after Steph's Packed Lunch axe
The Great British Bake Off and Strictly Come Dancing's John Whaite has revealed that he is quitting TV following the cancellation of Steph's Packed Lunch.
Whaite has been a constant face on Steph McGovern's magazine show, but following the news that Channel 4 had pulled the plug, he's decided to move away from TV presenting completely.
In a video on Instagram Stories, Whaite responded to the announcement and told fans that he is "completely fine" with the axe, stating: "This is the truth, I was gonna leave TV this year anyway.
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"That's why I've been off Packed Lunch for a couple of weeks just to get my head in gear and I had just about come to the conclusion that I think my career in television is now done.
"I’ve had a great run, loved it, and I'll do the odd bit here and there but I need to focus my attention on business and my creativity, so that's where I am."
Whaite asked his fans to spare a thought for the behind-the-camera staff at the staff rather than himself, revealing that they didn't know the cancellation was coming and may not have the opportunities to fall back on that he has.
"If you're gonna think about anybody, give any best wishes to anybody, please think of the Packed Lunch team," he said. "From the runners all the way up to the producers, the sound, the lighting, that amazing team who have made that show what it is, who have been completely blindsided by this.
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"They've had the rug pulled out from under them, which is completely terrible. So thank you for your messages. I don't need them, but keep that team in your thoughts."
In terms of his plans for the immediate future, Whaite said in a follow-up Instagram Story that he was going to focus on "recipes and rambling" through Substack and through a podcast.
Steph's Packed Lunch airs weekdays on Channel 4.
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