In July 2019 it was announced that Laverne would continue for "the foreseeable future" as Young would not now be returning.
(meta data) TITLE: Kirsty Young to stand down from Desert Island Discs - BBC News (meta data) AUTHOR: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews ## Accessibility links ## BBC News Navigation Family & Education Entertainment & Arts Video & Audio In Pictures Reality Check Special Reports The Reporters Have Your Say Entertainment & Arts Entertainment & Arts # Kirsty Young to stand down from Desert Island Discs Image caption Young previously presented Crimewatch on BBC One from 2008-2015. Kirsty Young is stepping down as the host of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. She has presented the long-running show since 2006 and has interviewed hundreds of guests including Annie Lennox, Morrissey and David Tennant. Last year, Young took a break from hosting Desert Island Discs because she has a form of fibromyalgia. The BBC said 6 Music's Lauren Laverne, who was drafted in as cover, will continue "for the foreseeable future". Kirsty Young Desert Island Discs break Young has presented 496 episodes of the programme as well as fronting its 70th and 75th anniversary celebrations. BBCHaving hundreds of Castaways share their triumphs, tragedies, tribulations and tracks with me over the years was a huge privilege and an education She called her tenure "12 incredibly happy and fulfilling years". "Having been forced to take some months away from my favourite job because of health problems," she added, "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." Image copyright PA Media Image caption Laverne (left) recently interviewed Glastonbury boss Emily Eavis Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body and can bring on severe fatigue. Lady Gaga also has the condition. Young said she wished Laverne "all the very best". Laverne said: "Stepping in for Kirsty on Desert Island Discs (which was already my favourite programme) has been an enormous honour." The BBC's director of Radio & Education, James Purnell called Young a "wonderful host". "Her intuitive interviewing style as well as her warmth and humour has helped bring out incredible life stories and anecdotes from her castaways." Image caption David Beckham appeared on the show's 75th anniversary Young's guests have included author Zadie Smith, David Beckham, Bruce Springsteen, Victoria Wood, Dame Judi Dench, George Michael, Tom Hanks and Sir David Attenborough. Outside of Desert Island Discs, Young is best known as one of the original newsreaders on Channel 5 which she presented from its launch in 1997 until 2007. She has also presented episodes of Have I Got News For You and the BBC's coverage of the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. ## Related Topics ## More on this story Desert Island Discs 'greatest radio show of all time' 12 February 2019 Kirsty Young to take time out from Desert Island Discs 30 August 2018 Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young reveals favourite castaway 24 January 2017 Eddie Mair and Kirsty Young are nation's favourite radio voices 26 July 2016 Kirsty Young to leave Crimewatch 27 November 2015 ## Top Stories Gove: No-deal dossier is 'worst-case scenario' A no-deal Brexit will bring "bumps in the road", Michael Gove admits, as a leaked government document warns of food and drug shortages. 18 August 2019 Detained Iran oil tanker sets sail from Gibraltar 19 August 2019 Prince Andrew 'appalled' by Epstein's sex abuse claims 19 August 2019 ## Features ### A young face scarred by Syria war ### The Nazi book of anatomy still used by surgeons ### 'I feared they'd take my child if I admitted how I felt' ### How online extremists shape minds of white teens ### Stop and search: What are your rights? ### Five ways farmers are tackling climate change ### 'My high street's fading but it still means a lot to me' ### 'Iran is the most beautiful country' # Elsewhere on the BBC ### Jeffrey Epstein How much do we really know? Full article Jeffrey Epstein ### Daily news briefing direct to your inbox Sign up for our newsletter Full article Daily news briefing direct to your inbox Why you can trust BBC News ## BBC News Services On your mobile On your connected tv Get news alerts Contact BBC News
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Desert Island Discs
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Guests also choose one luxury, which must be inanimate and of no use in escaping the island or allowing communication from outside. Roy Plomley enforced these rules strictly. He did, however, grant a special dispensation to Princess Michael of Kent, who chose her pet cat. The rules are, however, less strictly enforced today; for instance, Lawley allowed John Cleese to take Michael Palin with him, on the condition that he was dead and stuffed. Examples of luxuries have included champagne and a piano, the latter of which is one of the most requested luxuries. 
 After Plomley's death in 1985, the programme was presented by Michael Parkinson and from 1988 by Sue Lawley. Lawley stepped down in August 2006 after 18 years, her final castaway being actress Joan Plowright. She was replaced by Kirsty Young, who interviewed illustrator Quentin Blake for her first show, broadcast on 1 October 2006. On 30 August 2018, it was announced that Young was going on sick leave due to complications of fibromyalgia, and that 6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne would temporarily take over.