Lauren Laverne’s Stand-In on BBC 6 Music Pays Tribute After On-Air Cancer Diagnosis Announcement
Deb Grant offered a heartfelt tribute to Lauren Laverne after the beloved presenter revealed her cancer diagnosis. Grant, who is currently hosting Lauren’s weekday breakfast show on 6 Music, took a moment on air to express her support and send well-wishes to her colleague.
As Lauren shared the news on Instagram while the show was live, Deb addressed listeners, saying, “You will have just heard the news about Lauren. Just wanted to say, on behalf of everyone here, we’re thinking of you.” She continued, “We hope you’ll be back with us very, very soon. I wanted to play this one for Lauren Laverne because I happen to know it’s one of her favorites.” Deb then played Stevie Wonder’s cover of The Beatles’ classic “We Can Work It Out” in Lauren’s honor, told Liverpool Echo.
Lauren, who became a household name as a member of the 1990s pop group Kenickie, took to Instagram to share a photo from her hospital bed. The 46-year-old Desert Island Discs host announced, “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.”
She expressed her gratitude to the medical teams for their “incredible skill and kindness” and thanked her family and friends for their unwavering support. Lauren also extended her thanks to her colleagues at BBC 6 Music, The One Show, and Desert Island Discs for their understanding and allowing her the time off needed to focus on her recovery.
In her post, Lauren urged her followers to prioritize their health, saying, “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.”
Her announcement was met with an outpouring of love and support from fans and fellow celebrities alike. Huw Stephens wrote, “Lots of love to you and the family, Lauren x,” while comedian Sarah Millican sent “lots of love and gentle hugs.” Dermot O’Leary also shared his support with a heart emoji. Lauren’s brave disclosure and Deb’s touching on-air tribute have resonated with many, highlighting the importance of early detection and the strength of community support during difficult times.