Lauren Laverne has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer. The BBC presenter, 46, shared a photo of herself recovering in hospital, saying that she is expected ‘to make a full recovery’ from the disease, which was ‘caught early and unexpectedly’.
‘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,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘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.’
She also thanked her colleagues ‘for their support and for giving me the time off that I need to get better’.
Lauren, who has sons Fergus, 16, and Mack, 13, with husband TV producer and DJ Graeme Fisher, urged people who were ‘avoiding a test or putting off an appointment’ to get checked out 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,’ she added.
The star’s post led to an outpouring of well wishes from celeb friends including Dermot O’Leary, Clara Amfo, Caitlin Moran and Sarah Millican. ‘We know you’re going to be a queen through this like you are a queen through everything. But I do want to boot cancer in the nuts. Love you forever,’ said Caitlin. Comedienne Sarah added, ‘Sending lots of love and gentle hugs.’
Lauren, who found fame as the lead singer and guitarist of 90s pop-punk band Kenickie, hosts BBC Radio 6 Music’s breakfast show and Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. She has also presented The One Show and Channel 4’s 10 O’Clock Live.
Nick Grimshaw will present the 6 Music Breakfast Show next week, with other presenters to be announced in due course.
A BBC Radio 6 Music spokesperson said, ‘We send Lauren all of our love and support and look forward to welcoming her back to 6 Music when she's ready.’ Her colleagues at The One Show added, ‘Everyone at The One Show is sending all our love, we miss you and hope to see you back with us very soon.’