Presenter Lauren Laverne made her long-awaited return to BBC Radio 6 Music after she stepped back from her breakfast programme in August following a cancer diagnosis
Lauren Laverne has returned to her slot on BBC Radio 6 Music after six months.
The beloved English radio DJ, 46, had stepped away from her breakfast show last August due to a cancer diagnosis. In January, she dropped the news that former BBC Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw would be waking up listeners in her stead while she shifts to the mid-morning slot.
Just before kicking off her 10am show on Monday (February 24), Laverne shared with Grimshaw: “It feels fantastic, I’ve been so excited, it’s… nervous energy (and) just excitement to get going. I’ve done a couple of run-through shows here, to remember how to press the buttons, etc.”
As she kicked off the show, she said: “Thank you for welcoming me home, and letting me be myself here on 6 Music, it feels so good to be back, good morning and cheers to Grimmy (Nick) for a sensational breakfast show so let’s get going should we?”
After playing Ezra Collective’s song Body Language, she thanked listeners for their “gorgeous messages”. “It is wonderful to be here,” Lauren said. “Back in a place that feels most like home to me,
“I’ve been off-air for six months, there’s only one question, and that is this what have I missed? I’ve been dying to know.. I’ve been looking forward to spending the mornings with you.”
On Sunday evening, she took to Instagram to show off the “good luck flowers” her mates sent her ahead of her return. Meanwhile, Grimshaw launched his first breakfast broadcast on Monday on 6 Music, confessing he’d been “overthinking” and feeling the pressure.
Back in November, Laverne joyfully announced she was given the “all clear” after an almost three-month absence from her BBC duties. She’s now taking over from Mary Anne Hobbs, who previously hosted the mid-mornings and is set to start a fresh programme come spring, reports the Mirror.
After having a “tricky time” and a tough battle with her cancer diagnosis last year, Lauren revealed her departure from the BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show, after presenting the morning favourite for six years. Back in January, whilst Nick was on air, she expressed her joy at returning, saying: “It’s wonderful to be here, good to be back.
“I’m doing really, really well. It’s been a tricky time, and I’ve missed everybody so much.”
She extended heartfelt thanks to her supporters for their “messages of love and support” and recalled the emotional moment she left the studio in August, knowing about her impending surgery. Lauren shared: “I’d had my cancer diagnosis.
“I knew that I was going to be having an operation sort of imminently, and to walk out of the studio door and then come back in four months later, healthy (and) still obviously recovering. And anyone who’s been through cancer knows it takes quite a long time to fully get back to where you were, but it’s very exciting to be back and to be here.”
40-year-old Grimshaw admitted he “missed her as a Lauren Laverne fan” and felt “so nervous” and “really apprehensive to cover” for her. Lauren, 46, hailed his stint as “absolutely incredible” and thanked him for stepping in.
She opened up about easing back into work “part time” in November for The One Show and recording Desert Island Discs, calling it “lovely” as she relished her return and shared it is “good” to be back on Radio 6 Music. In a statement, Lauren said: “As listeners will know, I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much.
“It has been a huge honour (and so much fun) to host the Breakfast Show for six wonderful years, but it is time to pass the baton on, and to set my alarm a little later. During my recovery I learned all over again about the power of music, the people you surround yourself with and the emotional support and joy radio can provide.
“I’m so grateful to be able to get back to doing what I love and sharing those things with our brilliant listeners every day.”
Back in November, after receiving the “all clear”, Laverne shared her eagerness to return to the airwaves. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she thanked her fans, saying she “can’t wait to get started” on her new mid-morning show.
Laverne went on to say: “Thank you for all the kind messages of encouragement and support today, and for listening to our station. We’re all so lucky and proud to be part of it.” She is taking over from former Radio 6 mid-mornings host Mary Anne Hobbs, who is herself moving to a new show in the spring.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
