Steph McGovern says 'it panicked me' as she details harrowing stalker ordeal
Steph McGovern has opened up about her stalking ordeal and how it inspired her debut crime novel
Steph McGovern said "it panicked me" as she detailed her harrowing stalker ordeal.
The television host appeared on ITV's This Morning on Tuesday (July 1), where she spoke to presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard about her upcoming debut novel, Deadline.
Set for release on Thursday (July 3), the novel is a crime thriller about a broadcaster whose earpiece is hacked during a live interview.
After being told that her family has been kidnapped, the presenter must do exactly what the hijacker says.
Drawing from personal experiences for her book, Steph revealed: "I have had a stalker and so that story is in there, and I've never really talked about it before, but that was quite fun and therapeutic writing it in a crime fiction book," reports Chronicle Live.
Steph McGovern appeared on This Morning on Tuesday (July 1)
(Image: ITV )
Article continues below
Ben responded to her revelation, commenting: "So, your experience of having a stalker was really full on."
Steph replied: "Weirdly in telly, when I found out I had a stalker and told my bosses, they were like, 'Oh yeah, kind of everyone gets a stalker at some point.'
"This was a guy who just used to turn up everywhere I went, and he wasn't horrible to me. He thought that he was in a relationship with me.
"So, he used to think when I said, 'Morning everyone' on the telly that I was talking directly to him. And he used to think when I put things on social media that that was me telling him where to meet him."
She elaborated: "So, he'd turn up and he'd say things to me like, 'Can I give you a lift home, Steph? I've got your favourite snacks'... But I also didn't want to be rude to him because I didn't know what was going on in his life."
Steph has written a debut crime thriller
(Image: Channel 4 )
Steph went on to say that the "final straw" came when her parents received a letter from the man, who asked for her hand in marriage.
"He had your dad's address as well?" a shocked Ben asked, with Steph replying: "Well, that's what freaked me out because then at that point I was like, 'Woah, it's very different having someone be there at broadcasting things to then finding out my parents' address and writing to them.'
"That panicked me because I thought my mum and dad are gonna be dead worried here. So, that's when it all kicked in and BBC security did their thing."
Article continues below
Steph concluded: "That's the amazing thing in our careers. You take in so much, you meet such colourful characters, so it's been amazing to write about them."
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10am
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Love Island's Toni ends things with Harrison and a shocking twist is revealed
This season of Love Island has been filled with new twists and tonight's episode is no different as ITV producers announce a shocking twist catching the Islanders off guard. In last night's episode of Love Island, two new bombshells, Billykiss and Ryan, made their entrance into the villa. They chose Conor, Dejon, Toni, and Shakira for their first dates - leaving Meg visibly disappointed. The episode wrapped up as the Islanders returned from their dates, with Dejon appearing to show growing interest in Billykiss just before the credits rolled. But that wasn't all - Helena and Harrison shared a kiss while Toni was away, adding even more tension to their already complicated love triangle. As we wait to see Toni's reaction to the kiss, here is a sneak peek of tonight's episode... It's Billykiss and Ryan's first official night in the Love Island villa, with both bombshells eager to make their mark and get stuck in. In the garden, drama unfolds as Harrisons confesses to Toni about his secret kiss on the terrace. He admits: "I was just talking with Helena, we had a little chat and we had one kiss…" Toni is not best pleased by this revelation and has a few choice words for Harrison before she walks off, leaving Harrison to reflect on his choices. The next day is Toni's birthday and, determined to make up for the previous night, Harrison gets busy in the kitchen preparing eggs, a handwritten note and some red roses. He rounds up the boys to sing happy birthday as Toni enters, but it seems to be a little too late. Toni sits down to enjoy her breakfast, she mockingly uses her fork to knock the roses off their stems. Later at the fire pit, Toni shares her plan with Shakira, saying: "Point 1. - A man who's for everyone is not a man for me. Point 2 - I did not come all the way here to cry. Point 3 - If you can't make a decision I'm gonna make it for you." With her mind made up, she confronts Harrison on the terrace, telling him: "This is done. You've made your bed. Lie in it." Harrison later opens up to Conor, confessing: "I'm sad, that actually hit me harder than I thought you know..." Conor offers some perspective, saying: "It's probably just a classic case of you don't know what you have until it's gone…" Will there be any way back for Harrison and Toni? Meanwhile Harry tries to make amends with Shakira. After giving her some time he takes her to the terrace, telling her: "I just want to make you happy and add to your life and I don't feel like I'm doing that now." Shakira, conflicted, replies: "I feel like you keep ruining a good thing," admitting she's torn between two options, "There's two options, and I'm in a pickle." Harry lays it all out: "I'll be right here. I'm for you, I think you know that…" With Harry's true feelings out in the open, what will Shakira's decision be? Later that evening whilst in the den, Tommy receives a text which reads: "Can all Islanders gather at the Firepit immediately." The new Bombshells, Billykiss and Ryan, stand in front of the fire pit as the Islanders await an unexpected announcement. But in true Love Island style, there's a twist no one sees coming…
Wales Online
28 minutes ago
- Wales Online
New series of Grand Designs: House of the Year announced
New series of Grand Designs: House of the Year announced The four-part series will be broadcast on Channel 4 this autumn, following a new series of Grand Designs, and will see McCloud present the programme alongside architects Damion Burrows and Natasha Huq Kevin McCloud (Image: (Image: Channel 4) ) Kevin McCloud will return to TV screens for a new series of Grand Designs: House of the Year, to offer audiences a glimpse inside the country's most cutting-edge architecture. The four-part series will be broadcast on Channel 4 this autumn, following a new series of Grand Designs, and will see McCloud present the programme alongside architects Damion Burrows and Natasha Huq. In each episode, viewers will visit the homes on the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) shortlist, with the final episode unveiling the winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2025. McCloud said: "This series celebrates, as ever, a sparkling range of what's possible in domestic architecture today. "So, it's a great privilege to be able to help uncover these gems of creative imagination and of course it's a complete joy to be back presenting House of the Year alongside Natasha and Damion." Article continues below Huq said: "These aren't just impressive homes, they challenge how we think about space, materials and the care of our resources. "There is something deeply inspiring about the way architecture can quietly transform how we think about the world and our place within it, and I am excited to share that with viewers again this year." McCloud has presented the original Grand Designs show since its inception in 1999, with the programme marking its 25th anniversary last September.
Edinburgh Live
28 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Live
This Morning star, 52, gives birth to baby girl and shares very unusual name
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info This Morning's resident psychologist and expert, Emma Kenny, has joyously welcomed her fourth child into the world at 52. The beloved television personality and her younger husband Pete, aged 34, are now proud parents to a newborn baby girl. Emma excitedly took to Instagram to share news of her daughter Ella-Grey's birth, posting an array of adorable snapshots. In her heartwarming social media update, Emma announced, "Say hi Ella-Grey And then we were six! Say hello Ella-Grey! This morning she entered the world with a very loud cry. The Royal Bolton hospital have been fantastic and ensured that we have both been looked after brilliantly." Already mum to Tyde, 22, Evan, 20, and little Etta-Blue, who made her entrance in 2023, Emma's happiness at the arrival of her fourth child is bittersweet. She revealed the recent passing of her mother, explaining the emotional impact: "I lost my mum suddenly a couple of weeks back, and it's really strange knowing that neither of my babies will get to know their would have loved them as older my boys did before them." READ MORE - The playboy princes' 'royal love train' that scandalously hit the headlines READ MORE - ITV The Chase fans all say same thing as show 'ruined' by 'team's decision' Decades ago, Emma welcomed two sons, and now the family dynamic shines with her two younger daughters, one nearly two years old and the latest just arrived. Emma shared her surprise and delight over her newest addition: "Ella-Grey has been lying on me all day, she latched on immediately and is as wonderful as I imagined she would like her sister.....I am blindsided that she is a girl," she expressed. "So, now I have two very big boys of 20 and 22, and two tiny girls aged 1 day and 23 months.", reports the Mirror. She shared her emotional journey following the tragic loss of her father, revealing that she once believed happiness was out of reach. "When my dad took his life in 2019, I never thought I would be happy again, but in truth I couldn't have been more wrong, I've learnt we are more than simply built to withstand suffering, we are programmed to learn, and grow, and develop courage through it. I cannot change what happened but I can embrace the gifts that grief brought me," she penned in a heartfelt message. (Image: This Morning/ITV) (Image: emmakennytv /Instagram) (Image: emmakennytv /Instagram) Wrapping up her update, she expressed gratitude towards her steadfast supporters: "Thank you to all of you who have spent years supporting me. You stood beside me in the dark times and you gave me so many new career directions that these days I don't need invites off the MSM! Thank you, all of you, for so much more than you could possibly know xxx." The announcement was met with an outpouring of love and congratulations on the birth of her child. A fan commented: "Massive congrats! You are such a massive inspiration :)," while another conveyed their joy: "Awww congratulations to you both, your girls will be besties! It is hard when the younger ones don't get to know your parents the same way as older siblings, I feel my youngest missed out on so much too, best wishes to your lovely family." Ruth Langsford expressed her joy for Emma and her partner with a heartfelt note, sharing: "Congratulations both" while Natasha Hamilton sent her own elated message: "So happy for you Emma - what a beautiful little girl, huge congratulations to you all xxx." The television presenter managed to keep her pregnancy secret until the previous week when she took to Instagram, surprising followers with news of her impending arrival. Standing mirror-side and showing off her bump, Emma shared with her fans: "Last show before I give birth! 9 months pregnant, quite happy to go into labour on any of you with health care qualifications at my Killer Couples, Liverpool Empire show tonight please be prepared!". Emma didn't shy away from divulging her quick return to the limelight post-birth, stating: "Back on stage in for now it's time for baby, 2 year old, filming YouTube and Facebook and going on a road trip to Italy the minute this babies fast track passport arrives! X." Her current pregnancy was treated with the same discretion as that of her third child, Etta-Blue, whom she also chose not to disclose publicly before welcoming in 2023. Reflecting on her life as a new mother in her fifties, Emma confessed to feelings of selfishness, but nonetheless adores motherhood. She confided in OK! magazine back in 2023 following her third child's birth: "I felt a great deal of selfishness all the way up until giving birth. "There are moments when I think, 'I wish I could have another 20 years with etta.' I could beat myself up about it, but my best friend died at 43, so you don't always get the time that's promised to you. I'll have conversations with Etta about it as she gets older." Emma endured a decade of rigorous IVF treatments to conceive her daughter Etta, and tragically suffered multiple miscarriages. She previously shared: "For 10 years I tried to have her and failed constantly. I'll have to process my grief over the fact that I couldn't have her at 42 or 45. "I feel I've had years stolen from my child, but I'm very grateful for having her."
