by BBC presenter Lauren Laverne has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 46-year-old star is best known for presenting Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 as well as the BBC Radio 6 Music breakfast show, and The One Show. While the DJ recovers, she will be taking time off from work and thanked her colleagues for giving her time to recover.
From the hospital, the radio personality shared the news with the world in an Instagram statement to her 251,000 followers. Laverne revealed that the cancer was detected during a screening test and was caught early.
Who is Lauren Laverne?
Laverne first hosted Desert Island Discs in 2018 when newsreader Kirsty Young was taking a break because she had a form of fibromyalgia. The radio star became a permanent host in 2019 when Young confirmed she would not be returning to the role. The personality also hosts the BBC Radio 6 Music breakfast show, presents The One Show and DJs on BBC channels.
Read more: Desert Island Discs: A history of the BBC radio programme
In the BBC’s annual report, it was reported that the DJ was one of three women in the top 10 on-air salaries. She also joined Quizzes Fiona Bruce and news presenter Naga Munchetty on the list. Laverne’s salary was listed as £395,000-£399,999.
Her career in the spotlight had a very different start though. She first rose to fame as the lead singer of the alternative rock band Kenickie. Laverne started the group with her friends – drummer Johnny X, guitarist and occasional lead singer Marie du Santiago and bassist Emmy-Kate Montrose – in Sunderland. They played at Glastonbury in 1997 but the band split a year later in 1998.
Despite promoting a career, she once told the Guardian that she would choose anonymity over fame. She said: “It is not a good thing for mankind to be famous, although it is what many people seem to want.”
Lauren Laverne reveals cancer diagnosis
Laverne was in the hospital when she shared the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
She wrote in an Instagram statement: “Right away, some personal news… I recently had a cancer diagnosis. It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I’m expected to recover fully back.hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to thank you: First of all, to the medical staff who went this far with me with incredible skill and kindness.
“To my amazing family and friends every step of the way – I’m so grateful and I love you. DesertIslandDiscs for their support – and for giving me the time off I need to get better.”
The BBC presenter said she was speaking out to encourage others to get tested if they are struggling.
She said in her statement: “I would also like to say that if you are avoiding a test or postponing an appointment to check yourself, please do it today.
“Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, the most important thing is to find out as soon as possible. It’s usually my job to bring the good skins to the air but any you have to spare are welcome here. anyone in a similar boat, or who made it back to shore xxx.”
Support for Laverne
Laverne received a lot of support from her famous friends and fans alike for her Instagram post. Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure led the celebrity support as she shared her wishes. “Send love and a speedy recovery xx,” she wrote.
Myleene Klass added: “You are incredible and have been there every step of the way. Well done Lala x.” Later, Klass appeared on Loose Women where she broke down in tears about her best friend’s diagnosis. She called Laverne her best friend and said she was the godmother to her children. “She’s going to tell me off,” she said in tears.
Wiping away her tears, she said: “Lauren is like that, she uses the platform she has even when she’s vulnerable to help other people, so, she’s incredible, she’s only 46. It’s the fact that she’s speaking out and saying get tested. She’s going to kill me.”
The BBC has also shared their support. A BBC spokesman said: “Everyone at 6 Music, Radio 4 and The One Show sends Lauren our best wishes and we look forward to welcoming her back to work when she is ready.”
Fans also shared their love and support for Laverne on social media with one writing, “You are amazing Lauren. You bring so much love and joy to the radio every morning. Sending you love and strength. Xx.”
Another wrote: “I missed you on the 6th! Get well soon! X.”
What we do not know
Laverne has not revealed what type of cancer she was diagnosed with. We don’t know if Laverne will choose to share this later. She said it was caught early and the doctors expect her to recover.
Laverne’s family
Laverne has been married to her husband Graeme Fisher since 2005. They met while working on a pop TV show together in the 2000s. She had her first kiss with her husband on Valentine’s Day over 20 years ago.
She told The Guardian in 2022: “The first was with my husband, 20 years ago. We worked together on a pop TV show in the early 00s. He invited me to a gig and we both thought people would others were coming, but there was no one. We realized it was Valentine’s Day and finally got together.”
Fast forward to now, the couple live with their children in their house in Muswell Hill, London and the DJ also has a flat in Sunderland. They have two sons Fergus and Mack.
