What we know about Laurene Laverne's cancer recovery as BBC star shares update

BBC presenter Lauren Laverne has given an update on her cancer diagnosis as she gets set to return to work.

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. She shared the news of her cancer diagnosis in August, and has now told fans that her treatment has gone well and she will be back on TV with a return to The One Show.

Laverne originally shared her diagnosis in an Instagram statement to her 251,000 followers from her hospital bed. She 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 gives update on cancer diagnosis

Laverne had some good news in November as she shared that her treatment had gone well and she was ready to return to work.

The presenter's first time back on screen will be The One Show on Tuesday, 26 November and she also shared that she had been recording some new episodes of Desert Island Discs for BBC Radio 4, and hoped to be back on BBC 6Music in the new year.

Posting a smiling photo of herself wearing a jumper with the slogan "life is beautiful", she wrote: "Well hello there! Just a quick update from me to say that after taking some time off to get better I’ve had the all clear and will be back to work on your TV this Tuesday with the wonderful @bbctheoneshow team. I’ve also been working on some new #DesertIslandDiscs episodes (which will air soon @BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds) and am looking forward to returning to @BBC6Music in the New Year.

"I want to say a huge thank you to the brilliant medical teams who took such great care of me, to the thousands of people who sent me such beautiful and encouraging messages, my friends and the acquaintances who took the time to support me after going through cancer themselves - and most of all to my family: my two astounding kids and especially my husband Graeme, who was absolutely extraordinary throughout.

"It’s been a difficult time but one that has taught me so much about what really matters. I can’t say I suddenly regretted never having hiked the Inca Trail, more that I now see more beauty in ordinary things than I could have imagined, and feel more than ever that the small things in life - the connections we make and care we take with each other - are the big things really. I have so much to be grateful for and excited about, and that is thanks to everyone mentioned above. Loads of love to anyone going through cancer treatment or supporting a loved one through it. See you soon and thanks again for the well wishes. Xx"

Laverne was in hospital when she shared the news she had been diagnosed with cancer in August.

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.