Lauren Laverne, 46, overcame devastating loss of parents and fan backlash - as Desert Island discs star reveals she is recovering in hospital following 'early' cancer diagnosis
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Lauren Laverne has suffered double heartache in recent years, overcoming the loss of her parents.
The BBC star, 46, announced on Wednesday she is recovering from cancer following a secret battle with the disease.
Her cancer diagnosis isn't the first time she has received devastating news as her mother Celia and father Dr Leslie Grofton died four years apart from each other.
Lauren was left 'utterly heartbroken' in 2022 when her mother Celia Gofton suddenly died while the radio host was presenting at Glastonbury Festival.
The DJ shared a sweet message on Instagram about how Celia was the 'most compassionate and most tenacious person I have ever met' as she shared her 'utter heartbreak'.
Lauren Laverne, 46, has suffered double heartache in recent years, overcoming the loss of her parents - as she revealed she is battling cancer
Her cancer diagnosis isn't the first time she has received devastating news as her mother Celia (pictured) and father Dr Leslie Grofton died four years apart from each other
Laverne's father, a respected university lecturer, died in 2018 to kidney disease - just four years before her mother passed away (pictured)
'She was the kindest, most compassionate and most tenacious person I have ever met,' she said.
'Born in the middle of nine kids, she was a master peacemaker and persuader.'
She went on in the length post to detail her mother's life from school to being cared for at UCLH.
She concluded the post by thanking the 'team at UCHL who cared' for her mum and her family at the end of her life.
Lauren wrote: 'She made connections wherever she went including with the incredible teams at UCLH who cared for her - and us - at the end of her life. Thank you to them for everything.
'We are all utterly heartbroken to lose her. She had just given the kids their Glastonbury spending money and was looking forward to watching Paulie (as he was always known in our house - her favourite Beatle) tonight.
'She'd been a fan ever since she saw him at the Sunderland Empire in 1963 (and later met him later with me - he was just lovely to her).
'Mam, I love you forever. Thank you for my fantastic life. I have no idea what I'm going to do without you, but I'm going to try to make it interesting and you will be in my heart, always XXX.'
The BBC star announced on Wednesday she is recovering from cancer following a secret battle with the disease
Lauren was left 'utterly heartbroken' in 2022 when her mother Celia Gofton suddenly died while the radio host was presenting at Glastonbury Festival
Lauren also suffered the shock death of her beloved father, a respected sociology lecturer, in 2018 to kidney disease.
The TV personality announced the loss of her father on Instagram on November 2018, saying: 'His life was extraordinarily rich in the things he cared about: music, ideas and us.'
The star said support from well-wishers on social media was helping her to cope with her father's death.
At the time of her father's death, Lauren faced backlash from Desert Island Disc listeners when she first landed the high-profile radio job.
Listeners branded Lauren 'lightweight and uncerebral' at the time of her stint on the radio show, which caused her to hit back.
Rising above the hate she received, Lauren penned on Twitter at the time: 'Today has been an entirely unexpected inventory of who is in my corner.
'I have to say I couldn’t be happier. In fact it’s been the best day in ages. Isn’t it funny how it goes that way sometimes? Thanks very much to everyone who has been so kind. The wave of messages is as surreal as it is wonderful.
'As a seasoned festival-goer I’ve had many surreal experiences while wearing a kagoule but this is a new personal best. Thank you all so much for your kind words. I hope to live up to them.'
She also spoke of the backlash in a seperate interview: 'I think it’s part of the job. People are entitled to their opinions. Some of it was constructive, some of it wasn’t. The less constructive stuff is people more or less saying, ‘I don’t like you.’ That’s fair enough.
In an Instagram post, the star told fans from her hospital bed that she was expected to make a 'full recovery'
Laverne pictured with her television producer and DJ husband Graeme Fisher. The couple wed in 2005
'If you do my job, it doesn’t have to be a disaster if someone criticises you; certainly it doesn’t wound me in a deep way. In my personal life, I’d just lost my dad. So, really, it puts things into perspective, right?'
The DJ, who presents BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, revealed her diagnosis was 'picked up early' in an Instagram post she shared with the world.
In an Instagram post alongside a picture of herself with a pillow tucked behind her head, she told fans from her hospital bed that she was expected to make a 'full recovery'.
The mother of-two did not reveal the type of cancer she had been diagnosed with but said it had been picked up 'unexpectedly' during a screening test.
Laverne thanked the medical teams 'who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness'.
She has been married to television producer and DJ Graeme Fisher since 2005 after the pair hit it off while working together on a pop television show in the early 2000s.
They have two sons together - Fergus who was born in 2007, and Mack who arrived three years later - and live in London.
Breaking the news of her diagnosis, she wrote: '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.'
She went on to urge others that might be 'avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out' to 'please, please do it today'.
'Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything,' she said.
'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'
Laverne with her husband Graeme Fisher. The happy couple have two sons together - Fergus and Mack
She revealed in 2022 how her romance first blossomed with her husband (pictured together here in September 2021) when she was asked in an interview what her most memorable kiss was
Laverne took over on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs when Kirsty Young stepped away from her role for a brief period because of her fibromyalgia treatment
An outpouring of support has flooded Laverne's Instagram post since she made the announcement.
BBC 6 Music said that it was sending Laverne 'all our love and support'.
'We look forward to welcoming you back to the studio when you're ready,' they wrote.
BBC Radio 4 wrote: 'We're sending all the love and support from your Radio 4 and Desert Island Discs family.'
The BBC's One Show echoed those sentiments, writing: 'Everyone at The One Show is sending all our love, we miss you and hope to see you back with us very soon.'
Among those sending messages of support on Instagram was former Hear'Say singer Myleene Klass who wrote: 'You are incredible and have been every step of the way. Love you Lala x.'
Doctor Who and Tower Block screenwriter James Moran said he was 'so glad you caught it early and are being looked after'.
'Sending ALL the good vibes and love, you are amazing and made of pure joy and deserve a speedy, epic recovery, possibly developing some sort of superpowers after,' he wrote.
'Love to you and the family.'
BBC Radio 4 presenter and colleague Shaun Keaveny said: 'Darlin, we are sending you all the orange good vibes in the world. Keep yer phone on. See you soon. You're amazing xx.'
While former Arsenal striker and ex-Match of The Day pundit Ian Wright posted seven heart emojis.
Actor Richard E Grant, presenter Dermot O'Leary, The Chemical Brothers, and comedians Alan Carr and Sarah Millican were among the wellwishers, with the latter writing: 'Sending lots of love and gentle hugs.'
BBC radio DJ Gaby Roslin sent Laverne 'so much love and positive energy' and the 60-year-old called her a 'gorgeous soul'.
Popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who appeared on Laverne's BBC Radio 6 show Music Goes Pop in 2021, wrote: 'Lots of love to you, lauren. Here's to a speedy recovery. Xxxx.'
Journalist Caitlin Moran said she knew Laverne was 'going to be a queen through this like you are a queen through everything.
'But I do want to boot cancer in the nuts,' she wrote. 'LOVE YOU FOREVER xxxx.'
Sports broadcaster Gabby Logan said 'sending you all the love and positive healing Lauren', and actress Vicky McClure added 'send love and speedy healing xx'.
Laverne told The Guardian in 2022 how her romance first blossomed with her husband when she was asked what her most memorable kiss was.
'The first with my husband, 20 years ago,' she said.
'We worked together on a pop TV show in the early 00s. He invited me to a gig and we both thought other people would come, but nobody did. We realised that it was Valentine's Day and ended up getting together.'
In 2019 she told Red magazine how she was 'making the most of every milestone' with sons Mack and Fergus.
She said: 'I'm in awe of my kids. I just think they're fantastic. I'm also mindful of how fast it all goes, so I'm drinking it in, making the most of every milestone.'
Laverne urged others that might be 'avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out' to 'please, please do it today' (Pictured here in June 2015 arriving to celebrate the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction at London's Royal Festival Hall)
Laverne sits alongside Jermaine Jenas to present the BBC's The One show. She signed on to the show in 2023
Popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who appeared on Laverne's BBC Radio 6 show Music Goes Pop in 2021, wrote: 'Lots of love to you, lauren. Here's to a speedy recovery. Xxxx'
Sports broadcaster Gabby Logan (left) said 'sending you all the love and positive healing Lauren', and actress Vicky McClure (right) added 'send love and speedy healing xx'
Laverne went on confess that her 40s had so far been 'bananas' and said the decade is when she realised 'there are all sorts of different, brilliant ways to live your life'.
She said: 'Your 40s are bananas. Everything is happening. You know the sound of an orchestra tuning up, where it's just bonkers?
'That's what your 40s are like. It's fascinating. You realise there are all sorts of different, brilliant ways to live your life. And hooray for that.'
Laverne also presents on BBC's The One show, having signed on to the show in 2023.
Born in Sunderland, she kicked off her career in music by forming the band Kenickie with her friends.
Her birth name is Lauren Gofton, however she picked up the name Laverne when she joined the punk group.
The rockers became notorious for their witty banter during performances and interviews, leading Lauren to being invited on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You.
Following her musical stint she became a radio DJ, earning slots at BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6.
When Kirsty Young stepped away from her role for a brief period because of her fibromyalgia treatment, she took over on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.
She has interviewed the likes of Hollywood stars Cate Blanchett and Stanley Tucci, as well as Young, over the years.
Laverne is also the host of the BBC Radio 6 Music breakfast show and previously presented a variety of TV shows including Channel 4's 10 O'Clock Live.
