Steph McGovern has secured a major new presenting role with the BBC, marking a significant return to the corporation five years after her departure. The former BBC Breakfast business correspondent will front a brand new primetime series for BBC2 called 'The Big Deal'.
From Breakfast Sofa to Art World Arena
McGovern, 43, left the BBC in 2019 to host Channel 4's daytime programme Steph's Packed Lunch, which ended in 2023. Her new six-part series, scheduled to air in primetime later next year, will see seven pairs of complete novices attempt to become successful art dealers. The winning duo will secure £50,000 worth of British art.
None of the contestants have any professional experience in buying or selling artwork. Each episode will challenge them with tasks designed to test their commercial and artistic acumen, from identifying promising new talent to negotiating sales.
Demystifying the Art Market for a Primetime Audience
In an exclusive statement, McGovern expressed her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its accessible approach. "This show dispels the myth that the art world is exclusive," she said. "I’m buzzing for you to see how our dealers, from all walks of life, get on... with the ultimate aim of making money."
The series aims to pull back the curtain on the often opaque global art market. The amateur dealers' progress will be assessed by a panel of experts including art specialist Cordelia De Freitas. Judges will comprise curator Matt Carey-Williams, artist Margo McDaid, and digital marketing expert Ani Petrov.
A Busy BBC Comeback for the Presenter
'The Big Deal' represents McGovern's third new presenting role for the BBC in recent months, signalling a robust comeback. In October, she joined the team of the revived Crimewatch Live. This was followed in November by the launch of Farms 999, a 15-part daytime series for BBC1 focusing on rural emergencies.
Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts, praised the new show, stating it offers "fresh insight into how art is discovered, bought, and sold" and will "inspire the next generation of art-lovers." Kieran Doherty of Stellify Media, the production company behind the series, called McGovern "the perfect host" for the tense and visually exciting format.
After her eight-year stint on BBC Breakfast ended, and following the conclusion of her Channel 4 show, McGovern briefly appeared on Netflix's reality series Celebrity Bear Hunt. The mother-of-one announced her multi-project return to the BBC on social media last summer, telling fans she was "absolutely buzzing."
