BBC presenter Lauren Laverne is preparing to make her return to the corporation this month after being diagnosed with cancer. The 46 year old will start recording episodes of The One Show and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in November, following a three-month absence from the studios.
A BBC spokeswoman expressed their delight at welcoming Lauren back to the studio for The One Show and Desert Island Discs, with new episodes set to air on Radio 4 from 1 December. They also look forward to her return to BBC Radio 6 Music in the new year.
Laverne last hosted her 6 Music show on August 15, with Nick Grimshaw, Nemone Metaxas, and Deb Grant stepping in during her absence. The last new episode of Desert Island Discs featured Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and was released on August 11.
Since then, extended and classical editions of the interview programme have been broadcast on Radio 4. She last presented The One Show in the same month.
A new episode of Desert Island Discs, featuring a pre-recorded interview with comedian Mark Steel, is due out on December 1. It’s believed this was recorded by Laverne before she took leave.
She will be back to record more episodes as well as Christmas editions of the series over the coming weeks, with announcements expected soon. On August 21, Laverne revealed that she had received a “cancer diagnosis”, emphasising that it was detected “early and unexpectedly during a screening test”.
“I am expected to make a full recovery,” she added. “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.”
She expressed gratitude to the teams at 6 Music, The One Show, Desert Island Discs and Independent Talent Group “for their support – and for giving me the time off that I need to get better”.
Laverne did not disclose the type of cancer she is battling.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.