Lauren Laverne’s TV return confirmed as BBC speaks out amid 46-year-old’s cancer battle
Lauren Laverne is set to make her return to BBC broadcasting this month following a three-month absence after receiving cancer treatment.
The 46-year-old presenter will resume her duties on The One Show and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, with new episodes of the latter beginning on December 1.
She will also return to BBC Radio 6 Music in the new year, completing her full roster of broadcasting commitments.
The presenter stepped away from her broadcasting duties in August after revealing she had received a cancer diagnosis, which was discovered during a routine screening test.
In a statement released on August 21, Laverne shared news of her diagnosis from her hospital bed.
“I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: Firstly to medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness,” she wrote.
The presenter reassured fans that her cancer had been caught “early and unexpectedly during a screening test” and that she was “expected to make a full recovery.”
She expressed gratitude to her family and friends who had been “absolutely extraordinary every step of the way.”
Laverne also thanked her colleagues at 6 Music, The One Show, Desert Island Discs and Independent Talent Group “for their support and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.”
She used her platform to encourage others who might be “avoiding a test or putting off an appointment” to get checked out.
Laverne’s last appearance on her BBC Radio 6 Music show was on August 15, with Nick Grimshaw, Nemone Metaxas and Deb Grant stepping in to cover her regular slot during her absence.
Her final Desert Island Discs episode before taking leave featured Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, which aired on August 11.
Since then, Radio 4 has been broadcasting extended and classical editions of the popular interview programme.
The One Show also saw Laverne’s last appearance in August, before she stepped away for her treatment.
While the presenter has been open about her diagnosis and recovery journey, she has not specified which type of cancer she was treated for.
A new episode of Desert Island Discs featuring comedian Mark Steel will air on December 1, though this was recorded before Laverne’s leave of absence.
The presenter is set to return to the studio in the coming weeks to record new episodes of the long-running Radio 4 programme.
Several festive specials are also planned, with announcements about these expected shortly.
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The BBC has confirmed that Laverne will be recording more programmes over the coming weeks, marking her gradual return to broadcasting duties.
The upcoming episodes will join her established portfolio of work across multiple BBC platforms, including her flagship shows on Radio 4 and The One Show.
A BBC spokesperson expressed delight at Laverne’s return, stating: “We’re delighted to welcome Lauren back to the studio this month for The One Show and Desert Island Discs, with new episodes airing on Radio 4 from 1 December, and we look forward to welcoming Lauren back to BBC Radio 6 Music in the new year.”
The phased return will see Laverne resume her television duties first, followed by her Radio 4 commitments.
Her return to BBC Radio 6 Music has been scheduled for early 2024, completing her full return to broadcasting.
The announcement has been welcomed by fans who have missed her presence across the BBC’s various platforms since August.
