Steph Packed Lunch star Dale Bowes has died at the age of 28, following a recent terminal cancer diagnosis - leaving Steph McGovern to lead the heartfelt tributes.
Bowes appeared as a Lunchmate on the show in 2023 and became a big part of the series, often eager to give his opinions on the topics of the day.
The Channel 4 star was first diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2003, and again in 2021 and for the third time last year.
Leading the tributes, McGovern penned on her X account: "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."
TV producer Gavin Wilson expressed: "RIP Mr Dale Bowes. A much loved Lunchmate of our @stephlunch @packedlunchc4 family!"
"Aweeee Bless him. What a new star in the sky," a fan of the show and Bowes said, before another added: "So heartbreaking! Rest in beautiful peace."
A third commented: "What a bright and fun guy he was! Loved seeing him on the show and really hoped that he could have beat this again! So sad to hear the news!" (sic)
Back in March 2023, Bowes opened up to McGovern and the rest of the show about his ongoing battle with cancer.
“I’ve been battling it for one-and-a-half years now and I’ve been told current treatments will not cure it,” he said before going on to express his support for assisted dying for terminally ill people.
According to The Mirror, a friend of Bowes' said: "Within a week, Dale was placed on an oxygen machine at home. Dale continued to get worse until he was admitted into St Gemma's Hospice on the 25th of March 2024 for end-of-life care."
Dale had been battling the cancer for most of his life and managed to beat it twice
On the GoFundMe page set up by Bowes’s friend, the TV star had been an aspiring geography teacher: "Dale’s journey of life has been a fight from the start.
"Growing up, Dale was a happy, lively and extroverted child who loved to play pranks and take leadership roles within his friend groups."
Back in December 2023, Steph's Packed Lunch aired its final episode after it was announced that Channel 4 was axing the daytime chat show.
Reflecting on his time on the show, he wrote on his Instagram: "It's been a pleasure being part of @PackedLunchC4 this year. Today was my final show.
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Steph McGovern leads tribute to co-star
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"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." (sic)