BBC presenter Lauren Laverne reveals she has cancer
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BBC host Lauren Laverne has shared that she has received a cancer diagnosis.
The TV personality, who is 46 years old, posted on Instagram about her health update. She encouraged everyone to go for a check-up and mentioned that she feels fortunate to have found it early. She added that she is likely to recover completely.
Next to a photo of her with a happy expression on her face, the host of BBC 6 Music's morning show and Radio 4's Desert Island Discs shared: "So, I have some personal news... I was recently diagnosed with cancer. Luckily, it was detected early and by chance during a routine screening, so I am hopeful for a complete recovery.
I am currently in the hospital and I would like to express my gratitude to the medical staff who have provided me with exceptional care and compassion thus far.
I am extremely thankful and appreciative for the amazing support I have received from my family, friends, and colleagues during this time. I love you all so much. A special thank you to my colleagues at @itg_ltd, @bbc6music, @bbctheoneshow, and #DesertIslandDiscs for their understanding and support, as well as giving me the time off I need to focus on getting better.
She added, "I also want to emphasize that if you're procrastinating on taking a test or delaying a doctor's appointment to get yourself examined, please, I urge you to do it today. Statistics show that half of us will develop cancer at some point, and if you do, early detection is crucial."
"It's typically my responsibility to bring positivity on the radio, but any extra good vibes you have are greatly appreciated here. Sending lots of love to those in a similar situation or those who have overcome their challenges. xxx."
In 2018, Laverne began hosting Desert Island Discs on Radio 4, taking over from Kirsty Young. Despite facing criticism at first, she has captivated listeners with her interviews over the past six years. Guests have included Ian Wright, Jamie Dornan, Esther Rantzen, Rob Delaney, Adrian Edmondson, and Ruth Jones, among others.
Lauren Gofton, who was born in Sunderland, started as a DJ after being part of a music group called Kenickie. She appeared as a guest host on shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You in the early 2000s before becoming the first female host of XFM's main morning show in 2005. Currently, she hosts the morning show on BBC Radio 6 Music, starting in 2019.
In 2023, Lizzo expressed her gratitude to Laverne during a live performance at the O2 Arena in London. She credited Laverne for playing her music on Radio 6, which ultimately contributed to the success of her record. Lizzo mentioned how this radio exposure led to frequent trips to England and how Laverne warmly welcomed her each time.
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Laverne and DJ Graeme Fisher tied the knot in 2005, having first met and begun a relationship while working together on a television program in the early 2000s.
In an interview with The Guardian, she shared the story of her most unforgettable kiss. It happened 20 years ago with her husband. They had planned to go to a concert with friends, but no one else showed up. They soon discovered it was Valentine's Day and decided to spend the evening together. That first kiss marked the beginning of their relationship.
Fisher and Laverne became parents for the first time when their son Fergus was born two years after they got married. In 2010, they welcomed their second son, Mack, into the world and celebrated his arrival.
Besides hosting many radio shows, Laverne has been a main presenter for the BBC's Glastonbury festival coverage for a long time. In 2022, she left the festival at Worthy Farm in the middle of it because her mother Celia passed away.
In a recent blog post, she shared her sentiments about her late mother, Celia. She described her as the most kind, caring, and determined person she's ever known. Coming from a large family of nine siblings, Celia had a talent for bringing peace and persuading others.
She operated the sole reggae club event in the Northeast and explained to me that being youthful in the 1960s was like experiencing the lyric from "Mr Tambourine Man" where you feel like dancing under the starry sky with one hand held high.
Talking about her personal experience as a mother, Laverne shared with Red magazine in 2019 how she is committed to cherishing and celebrating every special moment with her sons, Mack and Fergus.
"I am amazed by my children. I believe they are wonderful," she shared. "I am also aware of how quickly time passes, so I am savoring every moment, cherishing every achievement."
"Being in your forties is crazy," Laverne exclaimed. "There's so much going on. It's like the chaos of an orchestra tuning up, where everything is just hectic. It's really interesting."
"You come to understand that there are numerous, magnificent ways to lead your life. And isn't that wonderful."
