Steph McGovern pays tribute following death of Packed Lunch star

TV presenter Steph McGovern has paid tribute to Steph’s Packed Lunch star Dale Bowes following his death aged 28.

Bowes, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, appeared as a Lunchmate on the Channel 4 daytime show.

McGovern, 41, posted a photo of her and Bowes to social media and said: “Gutted to hear that @MrDaleBowes has died.

“Dale was one of our fabulous lunchmates who always brought so much wisdom and joy to the show, even in the middle of his brutal cancer treatment.”

The photo showed the pair stood in front of a white Christmas tree while Bowes donned a festive-looking jumper.

A GoFundMe campaign, which has been set up as a funeral/memorial fundraiser for Bowes, said the 28-year-old had been fighting synovial sarcoma and was first diagnosed with it in 2003, before he was diagnosed a second time in 2021 and for the third and final time in 2022.

It also said Bowes was admitted into St Gemma’s Hospice on March 25 for end-of-life care.

According to charity Sarcoma UK, sarcoma is a type of cancer that can appear anywhere in the body and synovial sarcoma often occurs around joints in the arms and legs, such as the knee or elbow.

Bowes, who described himself as a “West Yorkshire paranormal investigator” on social media had talked about his cancer on Steph’s Packed Lunch and revealed during a discussion on assisted dying that current treatments would be unable to cure him.

At the time he told McGovern: “I’ve been told that current treatments will not cure it.

“There is a trial that I’m waiting for which, it could help me, but at the moment if I deteriorate into a situation where I’m suffering, and I’ve seen family and friends who have had cancer and really suffered, I think it (assisted dying) should be the decision of the person who is going through that.

“As long as of course they can make that decision themselves and medical professionals can review it as well.”

Bowes had also talked about his dog on the show and how he had helped him through living with cancer.

“With my condition, because I’ve got cancer as well, it just drains everything away that I’m worried about when I’m with him,” he said.

Bowes filmed his final show in December and wrote on Instagram: “It’s been a pleasure being part of @PackedLunchC4 this year.

“Today was my final show. I want to say a huge thanks to all my family who have supported me, my friends who have followed my journey on the show and watched some of the episodes and to all of the viewing public who have taken time out of their day to watch us on the show and participate by sending your messages in, too.

“It’s been a blast but sadly all good things come to an end someday. Thanks for accepting me as one of your lunchmates.

“I still don’t know what I’ll do without this show.”

I still don’t know what I’ll do without this show.”

I still don’t know what I’ll do without this show

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, director of communications at Sarcoma UK, said: “Sarcoma UK is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dale Bowes due to sarcoma cancer.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.”

She added: “Dale’s story underscores the urgent need for more research into new sarcoma treatments to improve outcomes for patients.

“Dale’s positive spirit in the face of adversity was an inspiration.

“We hope his loved ones can take comfort in knowing his advocacy has helped raise much-needed awareness of this cruel disease.

“For anyone who needs support, they may contact our Sarcoma UK Support Line by calling 08088010401 or visit our support page at https://sarcoma.org.uk/support/.”