Kirsty Young to take break from Desert Island Discs due to illness

Kirsty Young (Steve Parsons/PA) Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young will be stepping away from the Radio 4 show for a "number of months" as she is suffering from a form of fibromyalgia.

Fellow broadcaster Lauren Laverne, 40, is to host the long-running show while Young is away.

Desert Island Discs was first broadcast in 1942, the show has featured countless guests from Cilla Black to David Beckham who share the soundtrack of their lives and what they would take to a desert island.

Young, 49, said in a statement: "Casting away some of the world’s most fascinating people is a wonderful job – however, I’m having to take some time away from Desert Island Discs as I’m suffering from a form of fibromyalgia."

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body, according to the NHS.

"I wish Lauren all the very best, I know she will be great. And I very much look forward to getting back to good health and back to work," added Young.

Lauren Laverne presenting the Mercury Prize 2016, held at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. Credit: PA

Laverne said: "It’s a huge honour to be asked to cover my favourite programme on behalf of one of my heroes.

"As a listener first and foremost I know what a special place Desert Island Discs holds in the hearts of the British public."

"So much of that is down to the warmth, wit and peerless skill of Kirsty Young. I wish Kirsty better and will do my very best to look after Desert Island Discs until her return."

Desert Island Discs returns on September 16 and Young will host the first two episodes with castaways opera singer Danielle de Niese and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh.

Young, the former anchor of Five News, recently won praise for her coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding.

She took over from Sue Lawley as the host of Desert Island Discs in 2006 and has enjoyed success in the role.

Laverne will host the third episode of Desert Island Discs onwards and will continue to present her weekday mid-morning show on BBC Radio 6 Music.

She becomes 6 Music’s new weekday Breakfast Show presenter in January 2019.

As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also experience increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and headaches.