What we know as BBC presenter Lauren Laverne reveals cancer diagnosis
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 BBC Radio 6 Music's breakfast show, and The One Show. While the DJ makes her recovery, she will be taking time away from work and she thanked her colleagues for giving her the time to recover.
From hospital, the radio personality shared the news with the world in an Instagram statement to her 251,000 followers. Laverne revealed the cancer was detected during a screening test and that it had been caught early.
Who is Lauren Laverne?
Laverne first hosted Desert Island Discs in 2018 when newsreader Kirsty Young was taking a break as she had a form of fibromyalgia. The radio star become the permanent host in 2019 when Young confirmed she would not be returning to the role. The personality also hosts BBC Radio 6 Music's breakfast show, presents The One Show and she DJs on BBC channels too.
Read more: Desert Island Discs: A history of the BBC radio show
In BBC's annual report, it was reported the DJ was one of the three women in the top 10 on-air salaries. She also joined Question Time 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 started out very differently though. First she had shot to fame as the lead singer in the alternative rock band Kenickie. Laverne started the group with her friends - drummer Johnny X, guitarist and occasional lead vocalist Marie du Santiago and bass guitarist Emmy-Kate Montrose - in Sunderland. They played at Glastonbury in 1997 but the band split just a year later in 1998.
Despite having built a career in the limelight, she once told The Guardian that she would choose anonymity over fame. She said: "It’s not good for human beings to be famous, even though it’s the thing lots of people seem to want."
Lauren Laverne reveals cancer diagnosis
Laverne was in hospital when she shared the news she had been diagnosed with cancer.
She wrote in an Instagram statement: "Right then, some personal news… I recently had a cancer diagnosis. It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I am expected to make a full recovery. I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: Firstly to the medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness.
"To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way - I am so very grateful and love you so much. And of course thank you to my colleagues - including those at @itg_ltd, @bbc6music, @bbctheoneshow and #DesertIslandDiscs for their support - and for giving me the time off that I need to get better."
The BBC presenter said she was speaking out to encourage others to get tested if they have been putting it off.
She added in her statement: "I also want to say that if you’re avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out please, please do it today.
"Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything. It’s usually my job to bring the good vibes on air but any you have to spare are very much welcome here. Sending loads of love to anyone in a similar boat, or who has made it back to shore. xxx."
Support for Laverne
Laverne received lots of support from her celebrity friends and fans alike beneath her Instagram post. Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure led the celebrity support as she shared her well wishes. "Send love and speedy healing xx," she wrote.
Myleene Klass added: "You are incredible and have been every step of the way. Love you Lala x." Later, Klass appeared on Loose Women where she broke down in tears over 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 of being in tears.
Wiping away her tears, she added: "This is so Lauren, that she uses her platform even in her times of vulnerability to help others so, she's incredible, she's only 46. The fact that she's speaking out and saying get tested. She's in great hands. She's going to kill me."
The BBC have also shared their support. A BBC spokesperson said: "Everyone at 6 Music, Radio 4 and The One Show sends Lauren our very best wishes and we look forward to welcoming her back to work when she’s ready."
Fans also shared their love and support for Laverne on social media with one writing, "You’re amazing Lauren. You bring so much love and joy on the radio every morning. Sending you love and strength. Xx."
Another wrote: "I have missed you on 6! Get well soon dude! X."
What we don't know
Laverne has not revealed what type of cancer she has been diagnosed with. We don't know whether Laverne will choose to share this at a later date. She did share that it had been caught early and doctors expect her to make a full recovery.
Laverne's family
Laverne has been married to her husband Graeme Fisher since 2005. They got together while working on a pop TV show together in the 2000s. She had her very first kiss with her husband on Valentine's Day more than 20 years ago.
She told The Guardian in 2022: "The first 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 other people would come, but nobody did. We realised that it was Valentine’s Day and ended up getting together."
Fast forward to now, the couple live with their children at their home in Muswell Hill, London and the DJ also has a flat in Sunderland. They have two sons Fergus and Mack.
