Steph McGovern Steps Into the Art Market for BBC Two

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

BBC Arts has announced Steph McGovern as the presenter of a new six part arts series, co commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland for BBC Two, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer.

Titled The Big Deal with Steph McGovern, the programme was first revealed at the Belfast Media Festival in 2023 under its original working name, The Art Game. The series follows seven pairs of contestants as they enter the competitive world of contemporary art dealing, all with the aim of winning a substantial prize.

The global art market regularly grabs attention with record breaking auctions and sold out exhibitions, yet for many people it still feels difficult to access or understand. This series sets out to lift the curtain by placing complete newcomers at the centre of the action and letting them learn by doing.

Across the series, the aspiring dealers are encouraged to trust their instincts, think like entrepreneurs and see whether they can turn art into profit. While some have an interest in art, none have professional experience of buying or selling artworks. Each episode introduces challenges that push them to identify emerging talent, build connections with established artists, attract buyers and close a sale.

Their progress is overseen by series expert Cordelia De Freitas, alongside a rotating panel of guest specialists from across the art world. Among those judging the contestants are curator Matt Carey Williams, artist Margo McDaid and Ani Petrov, marketing vice president at a digital art marketplace. At the end of the competition, the winning pair will take home £50,000 worth of art.

Steph McGovern says the series aims to challenge the idea that art is only for a select few. While people may feel comfortable spending money on experiences like theatre, music festivals or travel, she believes art can feel more daunting. The show, she says, breaks down that barrier by following dealers from different backgrounds as they navigate the heart of the art market, with the clear goal of making money.

Farm 999: A Riveting Look at the Hidden Dangers of UK Farming

By Jon Donnis

Farming is often seen as a quiet, bucolic profession, but in reality, it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK. Beyond the everyday hazards of machinery and livestock, farmers increasingly face threats from organised criminal gangs. The new BBC Daytime and BBC Northern Ireland series, Farm 999, shines a light on this rarely seen side of rural life, showing the risks farmers take to feed the nation and safeguard the environment.

Presented by Steph McGovern, the 15-part series launches on Friday 7 November and promises a gripping mix of farmyard accidents, rural crime investigations, heroic rescues, and devastating fires from some of the UK's most isolated communities. The programme features previously unseen CCTV, body cam, and mobile phone footage, combined with the personal accounts of those who lived through these incidents. Viewers are taken into the heart of emergency operations, following paramedics, air ambulances, and police units as they tackle life-and-death situations in challenging terrain.

Filmed from a working farm at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise) in County Antrim, Steph McGovern provides context and insight into the issues raised, speaking with expert guests, campaigners, and farmers who share their own experiences. Investigative reporter Paul Colgan joins operations around the UK, tracking rural crime units as they confront organised criminal activity, including machinery theft and illegal waste disposal. These offences not only threaten farmers' livelihoods but also the wider environment.

Despite only one per cent of the UK population working in agriculture, farming accounts for 20 per cent of workplace deaths. The first episode highlights the precarious nature of the work with the story of Cambridgeshire farmer Jonathan Willis and his wife Wendy, who recount a near-fatal accident caused by a moment's lapse while carrying out routine duties. Emergency responders describe the tense rescue, offering viewers a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in even familiar tasks. Other stories include a police operation tackling illegal waste in Cheshire and sheep farmers in Argyll dealing with attacks from protected white-tailed eagles.

Steph McGovern said, "Farm 999 will take viewers into the heart of the UK's stunning countryside, giving a unique perspective on what it's like to live and work there. People in rural communities are used to dealing with challenges, but this is an unseen side of life here. Farming can be dangerous, and when accidents happen it's often a matter of life and death in these isolated locations. We hear jaw-dropping stories first-hand from those impacted and see incredible footage of first responders coming to the rescue. We also gain insight into the chaos criminals are causing in rural communities and have unrivalled access to the policing operations tackling it."

Farm 999 promises to combine drama, danger, and human resilience, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of modern UK farming.