Kirsty Young says it’s ‘time to pursue new challenges’ as she steps down permanently from Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs following a break after fibromyalgia diagnosis
- Young has presented the show since 2006 and interviewed hundreds of guests
- The presenter stepped back from job last year after suffering from fibromyalgia
- BBC Radio 4 said Young has decided to step down permanently from the show
Kirsty Young is stepping down permanently as host of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, saying: ‘It’s time to pursue new challenges.’
The 50-year-old has presented the show since 2006 and interviewed hundreds of guests such as Dame Kelly Holmes, Victoria Wood and Sir David Attenborough.
But the TV and radio presenter said she was stepping back from the ‘wonderful job’ for a ‘number of months’ in August last year because she was suffering from fibromyalgia.
The show was hosted in her absence by Lauren Laverne, who will now continue to present the long-running popular Radio 4 programme.
Young said the enforced absence had ‘altered’ her perspective and that it was now time for ‘new challenges.’
Young has presented the show since 2006 and interviewed hundreds of guests such as Dame Kelly Holmes, Victoria Wood and David Attenborough
Kirsty Young sharing a joke with Hollywood star Tom Hanks on the popular BBC Radio show
Kirsty Young pictured with footballer David Beckham, who joined her for Desert Island Discs for the programme’s 75th anniversary
Kirsty Young announced today that she was stepping down from the programme she has been part of for 12 years
New host Lauren Laverne, pictured left, with Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis at Desert Island Discs
She said: ‘After 12 incredibly happy and fulfilling years on Desert Island Discs I’ve decided to step down permanently.
‘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.’
SNP politician Nicola Sturgeon with presenter Kirsty Young on an edition of Desert Island Discs
Kirsty Young chatting with legendary musician Bruce Springsteen on the long-running BBC show
Young has presented the show since 2006 and interviewed hundreds of guests such as Dame Kelly Holmes, Victoria Wood and David Attenborough
Kirsty Young with Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown, the Royal Navy’s most decorated pilot, who fought in WWII
Young has presented 496 episodes of the programme as well as fronting its 70th and 75th anniversary celebrations.
WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA AND HOW IS IT TREATED?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that is associated with widespread pain throughout the body.
This occurs in an estimated five million people in the US, and 80 to 90 per cent of those are women.
Researchers have looked into fibromyalgia developing due to an issue with how the brain responds to pain receptors.
Symptoms
- Chronic pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms
- Cognitive difficulties (‘fibro fog’)
- Sleep disruptions
- Migraines
Treatment
Treatment is used to minimize the symptoms, not to rid the body of the disorder.
There is a variety of medications to help treat pain, sleep problems and muscle spasms.
People can also turn to therapy, messages, acupuncture and yoga to see if it helps lessen the symptoms.
There is no current cure for the chronic disorder.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Her Castaways have included Zadie Smith, David Beckham, Bruce Springsteen, Dame Judi Dench, George Michael, Alice Walker, Tom Hanks, Second World War pilot Eric Winkle Brown and Sir David Attenborough.
In terms of Young’s future plans, a spokesman for the BBC said there were no specifics to announce at the moment.
Young took over from Sue Lawley as host of the popular BBC radio show in 2006 and proved an inquisitive and adept interviewer.
She married millionaire entrepreneur Nick Jones, who is the founder of celebrity haunt Soho House Club, in September 1999 and have two daughters, Freya and Iona.
When news of her illness broke last year, hundreds of fans sent messages of support and wished her a speedy recovery.
Young was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Symptoms also include increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and headaches.
Lauren Laverne will now take over, and praised Young in a tweet today.
She said: ‘Kirsty has always been a hero of mine.
‘I’d like to thank her and wish her the very best in her next chapter.
‘To take care of my favourite programme has been an enormous honour and her encouragement has been invaluable.
‘Her D.I.D archive will remain a joy and a masterclass.’
While fans flocked to social media to praise the popular presenter, with many saying she was their ‘favourite interviewer.’
One Twitter user said: ‘Such a shame. Kirsty is a fantastic interviewer & I was looking forward to her return, her gentle style always got the most out of the castaways.
‘But it’s not to be & I wish her well with what comes next. Good luck to Lauren, I’ve enjoyed listening to her over the last few months.
And another said: ‘Kirsty has been brilliant on the show and it’s in her time as presenter that I’ve become a regular listener.
‘I’m sure Lauren will be great and I wish them both good luck for the future.’
BBC 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.’
Laverne will continue to host Desert Island Discs for the foreseeable future.
She 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.’
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