Tributes have come pouring in for Steph’s Packed Lunch star Dale Bowes, who has sadly passed away at the age of 28.
West Yorkshire-based Bowes billed himself on social media as a ‘paranormal investigator’, but also regularly appeared as a Lunchmate on the Channel 4 series, which was hosted by Steph McGovern until its final show last December.
He had been diagnosed with incurable synovial sarcoma of the left lung in 2021, going on to have surgery, chemotherapy and a t-cell clinical trial.
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Last month, a GoFundMe was set up to help raise money for his funeral after his health began to deteriorate.
"In March 2024, we got the news we had been dreading,” the fundraiser said.
“There were no more treatment options for Dale as he had become too unwell. Dale was transferred to the care of St Gemma’s Hospice and returned home.”
It continued: "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.”
The description added that Dale had been fighting ‘despite all of the odds’ and was an ‘inspiration’ to those that knew him.
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Confirming the sad news that Bowes had passed away, McGovern wrote in an X tribute: “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.”
Talk TV’s Gavin Wilson also said: "RIP Mr Dale Bowes. A much loved Lunchmate of our @stephlunch @packedlunch family!"
A fan of the show commented: "Aweeee bless him. What a new star in the sky."
Another person also wrote: "I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Dale Bowes from terminal cancer who was on The Steph’s Packed Lunch Show sending condolences to his family and friends RIP Dale Bowes."
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Bowes had spoken openly about his cancer journey, having shared updates on TikTok and Instagram.
During an episode of Steph's Packed Lunch, when there was a discussion about assisted dying, he told McGovern: "I've been told that current treatments will not cure my cancer.
"One of the treatments could help me but at the moment if I deteriorate into a situation where I'm suffering I think it should be the decision of the person who is going through that."
After the show was cancelled, the final episode aired on 8 December last year, with Bowes taking to Facebook ahead of his final appearance to reflect on the fun he’d had.
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“Tomorrow is my final appearance on Steph's Packed Lunch after a year of fun, challenge and laughs,” he said.
“The show has been a lifeline to me as before this, my life was either being spent in a hospital ward or in bed.
“I’ve answered tough questions, had amazing times, met some amazing lunchmates who are now friends and I’m going to thoroughly miss the crew, our Steph and show as a whole. I don’t know what I’m going to do without it.”
McGovern also shared a photo of her microphone and cue cards, writing poignantly: “For one last time... today 12 - 2.10 packed lunch on Channel 4 - episode 675.
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"My cue cards, my earpiece and my microphone. For one last time...the brilliant packed lunch family have got a cracker of a final show for you."
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@mrdalebowes/Twitter/@StephLunchTopics: Channel 4, TV And Film