Lauren Laverne is set to leave her role on the BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show after a six-year stint, following a “tricky time” last year due to her cancer diagnosis.
Nick Grimshaw, former BBC Radio 1 presenter, will be stepping into her shoes from February, while Laverne will return to mid-mornings with a brand new weekday programme.
During an appearance on the breakfast show on Thursday, hosted by Grimshaw, Laverne expressed: “It’s wonderful to be here, good to be back. I’m doing really, really well, it’s been a tricky time, and I’ve missed everybody so much.”
Laverne said: “I’d had my cancer diagnosis, I knew that I was going to be having an operation sort of imminently, and to walk out of the studio door and then come back in four months later, healthy (and) still obviously recovering.
“And anyone who’s been through cancer knows it takes quite a long time to fully get back to where you were, but it’s very exciting to be back and to be here.”
Grimshaw, 40, admitted he “missed her as a Lauren Laverne fan”, and felt “so nervous” and “really apprehensive to cover” for her. Laverne, 46, thanked him for his efforts, praising him as being “absolutely incredible”.
She also mentioned that returning to work “part time” in November for The One Show and recording Desert Island Discs has been “lovely”, and it feels “good” to be back on Radio 6 Music.
In a heartfelt statement, Laverne shared: “As listeners will know, I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much.
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“It has been a huge honour (and so much fun) to host the Breakfast Show for six wonderful years, but it is time to pass the baton on, and to set my alarm a little later.”
She continued, “During my recovery I learned all over again about the power of music, the people you surround yourself with and the emotional support and joy radio can provide. I’m so grateful to be able to get back to doing what I love and sharing those things with our brilliant listeners every day.”
Laverne announced in November that she had received the “all clear” after being away from the studios for approximately three months.
Grimshaw has been regularly filling in for Laverne, along with Nemone Metaxas and Deb Grant on Radio 6 Music, following her break in August.
BBC Radio 6 Music mid-mornings presenter Mary Anne Hobbs will be taking a sabbatical from mid-February as Laverne takes over her slot and will return to the station in the spring with a new show.
Hobbs expressed her gratitude to listeners for “sharing your invaluable time with me”. Speaking to Radio 6 Music, Laverne said: “I cannot wait to hear that new show, it’s going to be extraordinary as always, and Mary Anne was the first person in my inbox this morning to say good luck for today and send lots of love.”
“She’s just the most wonderful person, as well as a brilliant broadcaster.”
Radio DJ Metaxas will be stepping in to host the Breakfast Show starting from Monday. Meanwhile, Laverne and Grimshaw’s new shows are set to kick off in February.
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