Television star Steph McGovern, formerly of BBC Breakfast, has opened up about the "utter heartbreak" she's faced over the years. The 43-year-old usually keeps her love life private, with very little details known about her past romances and current relationship.

Yet in a candid admission, the broadcaster confessed she's been on the receiving end of break-ups "various times".

When discussing songs that evoke strong memories, Steph mentioned that Nerina Pallot's All Bets Off transports her back to a time of heartbreak.

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Speaking to The Guardian, she explained: "[It's] about heartbreak and so the song I play when I'm dumped," adding: "I've been dumped at various points in my life in various ways. It takes me back to a time of utter heartbreak and thinking I'll never get over it."

Steph's luck in love improved some years back when she crossed paths with her current partner, a BBC executive whose name hasn't been made public.

The couple are understood to have been friends for a considerable period before romance blossomed between them.

Back in 2019, they shared the joyful news that they were expecting their first baby together - a little girl who's now six years old.

Previously discussing why she shields her family from the limelight, Steph told Express: "I would just get too mad if I started reading negative things about them.

"My daughter has no choice and my partner's not in the public eye, so I wouldn't want to subject them to the opinions of others."

While she keeps her other half's identity under wraps, Steph has made previous admissions about what keeps their relationship strong. In conversation with Yours magazine, she disclosed a strict rule, revealing: "If we're miffed about something, we have 24 hours in which to voice it. It means we have some cracking rows, but we solve things fairly quickly.

"It might be over something small like the dishwasher, but that's why you've got 24 hours to make your point - so it doesn't grow into a massive collection of things one of us has done."

Through experience, the TV personality says she's discovered that lasting relationships demand work and mutual understanding of what each person requires.

"It's about listening," she noted. "For example, if I'm ill, I like to be left alone to get on with it - no fuss. Whereas my partner likes to be taken care of."

More recently, Steph gave followers a peek into her half-term getaway with her loved ones. Though her daughter and partner weren't pictured, the Deadline author expressed her delight at having precious moments together.

"After a crazy couple of months of non-stop work and hardly seeing my family, this holiday was much needed," she posted.

"Hanging out together on the beach and in the pool, reading great books by fab authors, drinking and eating my favourite holiday treats, barely looking at my phone (!) and most importantly, crafting, exploring and playing with my little girl, who will soon be six years old - time goes sooooo fast."

She wrapped up her Instagram post by adding: "This holiday was a great reminder of the need to slow down every so often, which I am rubbish at."

BBC Breakfast is broadcast every morning from 6am on BBC One