BBC Radio host Lauren Laverne has announced she has been diagnosed with cancer.
The Desert Island Discs presenter, 46, took to Instagram to share her news, encouraging others to "get checked out".
Laverne expressed gratitude for catching the illness early and reassured her followers that she is "expected to make a full recovery”, but didn’t reveal what type of cancer she is battling.
Posting a photo from her hospital bed, she bravely began: “Right then, some personal news… I recently had a cancer diagnosis. It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I am expected to make a full recovery.
“I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: Firstly to the medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness.
“To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way – I am so very grateful and love you so much.
“And of course thank you to my colleagues – including those at @itg_ltd, @bbc6music, @bbctheoneshow and #DesertIslandDiscs for their support – and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.”
Laverne then encouraged her followers to get tested and checked out when symptoms appear.
She continued: “I also want to say that if you’re avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out please, please do it today. Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything.
“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. xxx”.
The beloved broadcaster immediately received a flood of support from commenters who rushed to share their well wishes with her.
One fan penned: “Love you Lauren. Will miss hearing you on air, but we’re all rooting for you”.
“oh my. Thank goodness for screening and a mercifully early diagnosis. I’m sure I will be joined by so many of your listeners wishing you lots and lots of love and strength,” another commented.
A third added: “Get well soon and thank you for telling people to get checked.”
Also stars like Richard E Grant, Vicky McClure, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor sent messages of support. Ellis-Bextor commented on Laverne's post, writing: “Lots of love to you, Lauren. Here's to a speedy recovery.”
Laverne married television producer and DJ Graeme Fisher in 2005 and they have two sons together - Fergus, born in 2007, and Mack, born in 2010.
While most recognise her for her TV and radio presence, Laverne first gained fame in the 1990s as the lead singer of the pop-punk band Kenickie. She is now well-known for hosting Radio 6 Music's breakfast show and Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, a role she took over from Kirsty Young in 2018.
In addition to her radio work, Laverne is also a familiar face on television, serving as one of the presenters for the BBC's Glastonbury festival coverage.
However, in 2022, she made an emotional departure from Worthy Farm midway through the festival following the passing of her mother, Celia.
She wrote in a tribute post at the time: “Yesterday I lost my Mam, Celia. She was the kindest, most compassionate and most tenacious person I have ever met. Born in the middle of nine kids, she was a master peacemaker and persuader.
“She ran the only reggae club night in the NE and told me that being young in the Sixties felt like that line in ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ ‘to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free.’”
