BBC's Lauren Laverne set to return to work just weeks after sharing cancer diagnosis

Lauren Laverne announced in August that she had been diagnosed with cancer, but it was caught ‘early and unexpectedly during a screening test’, and signed off from her radio shows to recover

Lauren Laverne is set to return to her BBC work after her ‘unexpected’ cancer diagnosis.

The 46-year-old took a leave of absence from hosting her BBC Radio 6 Music show, Desert Island Discs on Radio 4, as well as co-hosting The One Show, after she announced she had been diagnosed with a type of cancer. Back in August, she released a statement alongside a photo of her in hospital, as she reassured fans her cancer had been caught early.

“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,” Lauren began, as she thanked her BBC colleagues for “their support and for giving me the time off that I need to get better”. Lauren then went on to shout out her family and friends who “have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way”.

She urged people who were “avoiding a test or putting off an appointment” to get checked out, and revealed that she would be absent from her radio shows - as well as The One Show - while she recovered. “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.”

Now, it’s been confirmed that Lauren will be heading back to work later this month to record episodes of The One Show and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs after three months off. “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,” a BBC spokesperson stated.

Lauren last presented her 6 Music show on August 15, and Nick Grimshaw, Nemone Metaxas, and Deb Grant are among the presenters who have been sitting in since then. The last new episode of Desert Island Discs was with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, and came out on August 11, and since then extended editions of the programme have been airing. Her last appearance hosting The One Show was also in August, and fans are keen to see her make her long-awaited return.

A new episode of Desert Island Discs with comedian Mark Steel will come out on December 1, but that was recorded before Lauren went on leave. She will return to record more episodes of the beloved Radio 4 series, as well as special Christmas editions, over the next few weeks, which are set to be announced soon.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeand Threads.