BBC star Lauren Laverne has today revealed she is recovering from cancer.
The DJ, 46, who presents BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, said the disease had ‘thank God’ been caught early.
In an Instagram post alongside a picture of herself with a pillow tucked behind her head, she told fans from her hospital bed that she was expected to make a ‘full recovery’.
The mother of-two did not reveal the type of cancer she had been diagnosed with but said it had been picked up ‘unexpectedly’ during a screening test.
Laverne thanked the medical teams ‘who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness’.
She has been married to television producer and DJ Graeme Fisher since 2005 after the pair hit it off while working together on a pop television show in the early 2000s.
They have two sons together – Fergus who was born in 2007, and Mack who arrived three years later – and live in London.
Breaking the news of her diagnosis, she wrote: ‘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.’
She went on to urge others that might be ‘avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out’ to ‘please, please do it today’.
‘Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything,’ she said.
‘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’
Among those sending messages of support on Instagram was former Hear’Say singer Myleene Klass who wrote: ‘You are incredible and have been every step of the way. Love you Lala x.’
Doctor Who and Tower Block screenwriter James Moran said he was ‘so glad you caught it early and are being looked after’
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… for their support – and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.
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
‘Sending ALL the good vibes and love, you are amazing and made of pure joy and deserve a speedy, epic recovery, possibly developing some sort of superpowers after,’ he wrote.
‘Love to you and the family.’
BBC Radio 4 presenter and colleague Shaun Keaveny said: ‘Darlin, we are sending you all the orange good vibes in the world. Keep yer phone on. See you soon. You’re amazing xx.’
While former Arsenal striker and ex-Match of The Day pundit Ian Wright posted seven heart emojis.
Actor Richard E Grant, presenter Dermot O’Leary, and comedian Sarah Millican were among the wellwishers, with the latter writing: ‘Sending lots of love and gentle hugs.’
BBC radio DJ Gaby Roslin sent Laverne ‘so much love and positive energy’ and the 60-year-old called her a ‘gorgeous soul’.
Popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who appeared on Laverne’s BBC Radio 6 show Music Goes Pop in 2021, wrote: ‘Lots of love to you, lauren. Here’s to a speedy recovery. Xxxx.’
Journalist Caitlin Moran said she knew Laverne was ‘going to be a queen through this like you are a queen through everything.
‘But I do want to boot cancer in the nuts,’ she wrote. ‘LOVE YOU FOREVER xxxx.’
Sports broadcaster Gabby Logan said ‘sending you all the love and positive healing Lauren’, and actress Vicky McClure added ‘send love and speedy healing xx’.
Laverne told The Guardian in 2022 how her romance first blossomed with her husband when she was asked what her most memorable kiss was.
‘The first with my husband, 20 years ago,’ she said.
‘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.’
In 2019 she told Red magazine how she was ‘making the most of every milestone’ with sons Mack and Fergus.
She said: ‘I’m in awe of my kids. I just think they’re fantastic. I’m also mindful of how fast it all goes, so I’m drinking it in, making the most of every milestone.’
Laverne went on confess that her 40s had so far been ‘bananas’ and said the decade is when she realised ‘there are all sorts of different, brilliant ways to live your life’.
She said: ‘Your 40s are bananas. Everything is happening. You know the sound of an orchestra tuning up, where it’s just bonkers?
‘That’s what your 40s are like. It’s fascinating. You realise there are all sorts of different, brilliant ways to live your life. And hooray for that.’
Laverne also presents on BBC’s The One show, having signed on to the show in 2023.
Born in Sunderland, she kicked off her career in music by forming the band Kenickie with her friends.
Her birth name is Lauren Gofton, however she picked up the name Laverne when she joined the punk group.
The rockers became notorious for their witty banter during performances and interviews, leading Lauren to being invited on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You.
Following her musical stint she became a radio DJ, earning slots at BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6.
When Kirsty Young stepped away from her role for a brief period because of her fibromyalgia treatment, she took over on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
She has interviewed the likes of Hollywood stars Cate Blanchett and Stanley Tucci, as well as Young, over the years.
Laverne is also the host of the BBC Radio 6 Music breakfast show and previously presented a variety of TV shows including Channel 4’s 10 O’Clock Live
Laverne was left ‘utterly heartbroken’ in 2022 when her mother Celia Gofton suddenly died while the radio host was presenting at Glastonbury Festival.
The DJ shared a sweet message on Instagram about how Celia was the ‘most compassionate and most tenacious person I have ever met’ as she shared her ‘utter heartbreak’.
‘She was the kindest, most compassionate and most tenacious person I have ever met,’ she said.
‘Born in the middle of nine kids, she was a master peacemaker and persuader.’
She went on in the length post to detail her mother’s life from school to being cared for at UCLH.
She concluded the post by thanking the ‘team at UCHL who cared’ for her mum and her family at the end of her life.
Laverne wrote: ‘She made connections wherever she went including with the incredible teams at UCLH who cared for her – and us – at the end of her life. Thank you to them for everything.
‘We are all utterly heartbroken to lose her. She had just given the kids their Glastonbury spending money and was looking forward to watching Paulie (as he was always known in our house – her favourite Beatle) tonight.
‘She’d been a fan ever since she saw him at the Sunderland Empire in 1963 (and later met him later with me – he was just lovely to her).
‘Mam, I love you forever. Thank you for my fantastic life. I have no idea what I’m going to do without you, but I’m going to try to make it interesting and you will be in my heart, always XXX.’