John Whaite has revealed he has quit the TV industry in the wake of the news that Stephen's Packed Lunch has been axed after three years on air.
The former Strictly contestant, who is engaged to fiancé Paul Atkins, admitted the decision to pull the show made no difference to him as he plans to focus on his 'business and creativity'. He continued: 'I'll do the odd bit here and there but I need to focus my attention now on business and on my creativity, so that's where I am.'
'I want to shout, as loud as possible, about how brilliant the team have been. The eclectic mix of folk from a hodgepodge of backgrounds and generations worked tirelessly to try to keep the integrity of a 100-year-old industry alive, and bring lunchtime entertainment and company to many a household. New plans: The former Strictly contestant, who is engaged to fiancé Paul Atkins, admitted the decision to pull the show made no difference to him as he plans to focus on his 'business and creativity'
The show's host Steph was previously a member of the BBC Breakfast Show, but left to front her own self-titled show. Steph has not broken her silence on the show's axe. 'It feels like Channel 4 are shooting themselves in the foot with this one - citing the need to do less live programming in order to go toe to toe with Netflix et al. It's nonsense.'
In a candid interview with The Times, John told how he 'fell in love' with Johannes while engaged to his partner of 15 years Paul Atkins. In extracts of his upcoming memoir, Dancing on Eggshells, obtained by The Sun, John details the depth of his feelings for Johannes. Speaking about the infamous Strictly curse, John added: 'Johannes knew that could happen. He had seen it a thousand times with his dance companions over the years.
Discussing his relationship with his fiancé in the aftermath, he recalled: 'For a while, Paul and I had to have some time apart. I felt like I didn’t know what I wanted from my existence any more. He said: 'I still love him, of course I do. I can't speak for him – because I'm not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there.
John confessed that while he and Johannes still speak now and again, he would be willing to end their friendship if Paul began to struggle with it. John added that he 'tested the boundaries' of their relationship after getting 'somewhat swept away with it all'.