Sunderland-born broadcaster Lauren Laverne will continue as host of Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs for the foreseeable future after Kirsty Young announced she was to step down permanently as host of the long-running programme.
Last summer, Young – who has presented the show since 2006 – announced she was taking a break for a “number of months” as she was suffering from a form of fibromyalgia. Now the Scot had decided to step down permanently.
“After 12 incredibly happy and fulfilling years on Desert Island Discs I’ve decided to step down permanently,” Young said.
“Having been forced to take some months away from my favourite job because of health problems, I’m happy to say I’m now well on the way to feeling much better.
“But that enforced absence from the show has altered my perspective on what I should do next and so I’ve decided it’s time to pursue new challenges.
“Having hundreds of castaways share their triumphs, tragedies, tribulations and tracks with me over the years was a huge privilege and an education. I am so thankful to Roy Plomley for the brilliance of his format, and I wish the programme and Lauren all the very best.”
Laverne said: “Stepping in for Kirsty on Desert Island Discs [which was already my favourite programme] has been an enormous honour. I wish her the very best in her next chapter.”
Young has presented 496 episodes of the programme as well as fronting its 70th and 75th anniversary celebrations. Her castaways have included David Beckham, Bruce Springsteen, Victoria Wood, Dame Judi Dench and Tom Hanks.
The BBC’s director of radio and education, James Purnell, said: “Kirsty has been a wonderful host of Desert Island Discs for more than a decade and her intuitive interviewing style as well as her warmth and humour has helped bring out incredible life stories and anecdotes from her castaways. We know how loved she is by listeners and we all wish her well for the future.
“Lauren Laverne has been doing a brilliant job at the helm in Kirsty’s absence and I’m delighted she continues to host one of Radio 4’s most popular shows.”
