This progressed to include, style, grooming and Agony Uncle on the initial team of FHM and opened the door to BBC Pebble Mill.

In 1993, Steve Whatley joined QVC along with fellow television presenters Paul Lavers, and Julia Roberts prior to 'the UK's first shopping channel' launching on 1 October of that year.

In September 1997, after 4 years working at the channel, Whatley left QVC after what was seen as an excessive discussion of Diana, Princess of Wales in his presenting of a "Today's Special Value" item of jewellery the day before her funeral.

The "Today's Special Value" item closely resembled Diana, Princess of Wales' diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

He also returned to presenting consumer slots on ITV's This Morning, and up until 2000, featured numerous times on BBC's Watchdog, Anglia TV's Home Malone, Granada Sky's The DIY Show and on the popular Five programme Open House with Gloria Hunniford.

[citation needed] On Christmas Eve 2004, after 4 years at Ideal World, Whatley left the channel to pursue other projects.

On 18 December 2002, whilst still working at Ideal World, Whatley appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court, charged with indecently assaulting a fellow employee four times over a 17-month period during 2000 and 2001.

The Crown Prosecution Service had a week to decide if it would seek a retrial on the remaining charge, but no further action was taken as it was known that Whatley licked the faces of many of his co-workers as part of a joke amongst Ideal World staff.

An inquest into his death held at Hatfield, Hertfordshire in January 2006, ruled that he had died by suicide by inhaling fumes whilst ill with depression following the breakdown of his marriage five months earlier.