Lauren Laverne returned to BBC Radio 6 for the first time since revealing her cancer diagnosis last year.

The presenter, 46, took a break from her breakfast programme in August, following her reveal that the cancer had been ‘caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test’.

Lavern later decided to quit the breakfast programme and instead moved to a mid-morning slot, with fellow radio star Nick Grimshaw replacing her. 

And on Monday, Lauren was back on the airwaves on her new show, revealing that it was ‘fantastic’ to be back. 

Ahead of kicking off her slot, Lauren joined Nick on his new breakfast programme, telling him: ‘It feels fantastic. I mean I’ve been so excited. The nervous energy is also just excitement to get going. 

‘I’ve done a couple of run-through shows just to remember how to press the ʙuттons and all that business, that’s the main stuff that I worry about. Just trying out our new features and things, it’s so exciting.’

Lauren Laverne returned to BBC Radio 6 for the first time since revealing her cancer diagnosis last year

The presenter, 46, took a break from her breakfast programme in August, following her reveal that the cancer had been ‘caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test’

Nick then responded: ‘We’re excited to have you back! We’ve really missed you. We’re very excited that you’re back on the radio’.

Lauren then went on to start her radio show, and after playing her first song, revealed her joy at being welcomed back into the fold.

She said: ‘The incredible Sly Stone to start and thank you for welcoming me home and letting me be myself here on 6 Music! Feels so good to be back. Good morning. Cheers to Grimmy for a sensational Breakfast Show. So, let’s get going, shall we?’

In January, Lauren, who hosts BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs along with regular stints on The One Show, shared she would be stepping back from her early morning slot.

In a statement she said: ‘As listeners will know, I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much.

‘It has been a huge honour (and so much fun) to host the Breakfast Show for six wonderful years, but it is time to pᴀss the baton on, and to set my alarm a little later.

‘During my recovery I learned all over again about the power of music, the people you surround yourself with and the emotional support and joy radio can provide.

‘I’m so grateful to be able to get back to doing what I love and sharing those things with our brilliant listeners every day.’

Ahead of kicking off her slot, Lauren joined Nick on his breakfast show, telling him: ‘It feels fantastic. I mean I’ve been so excited. The nervous energy is also just excitement to get going’

Nick then responded: ‘We’re excited to have you back! We’ve really missed you. We’re very excited that you’re back on the radio’

Read More Lauren Laverne back on Desert Island Disks after cancer ‘caught early’

Last year, Laverne – who came to fame as a teenager with 1990s indie band Kenickie – took a break from presenting her BBC shows after being diagnosed with cancer.

She revealed in November that she had been given the ‘all clear’ – taking to Instagram to share the news alongside a beaming selfie in which she proudly wore a jumper which read: ‘Life is beautiful.’

Lauren began recording episodes of Desert Island Discs in November after being absent from the studios for about three months, with recent guests including ex-England football manager Gareth Southgate and US popstar Cher.

Nick had been stepping in regularly for Laverne on BBC Radio 6 Music after she took a break in August.

Lauren revealed last August her cancer had been ‘caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test’ and that she was ‘expected to make a full recovery’.

At the time, she had written a post on Instagram, saying she was in hospital, praising the ‘incredible skill and kindness’ of the medical teams helping her.

She had also thanked colleagues on her respective BBC shows for their ‘support’ and ‘for giving me the time off that I need to get better’. 

Desert Island Discs was on a break at the time she revealed news of her diagnosis, before returning in September by airing old episodes. 

Lauren revealed in November that she had been given the ‘all clear’ – taking to Instagram with a beaming selfie in a jumper saying: ‘Life is beautiful’

Lauren was brought on to Desert Island Discs in 2018 as cover for then host Kirsty Young, who was dealing with her own health issues at the time. Laverne later became the permanent host. 

The mother of-two has not revealed the type of cancer with which she was diagnosed with but said when announcing the news in August it had been picked up ‘unexpectedly’ during a screening test.

And then in November she posted a lengthy statement paying tribute to hospital staff and her ‘astounding’ sons Fergus, 17, and 14-year-old Mack and her ‘absolutely extraordinary’ husband Graeme Fisher.

She wrote: ‘Well hello there! Just a quick update from me to say that after taking some time off to get better I’ve had the all clear and will be back to work on your TV this Tuesday with the wonderful @bbctheoneshow team.

‘I’ve also been working on some new #DesertIslandDiscs episodes (which will air soon @BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds) and am looking forward to returning to @BBC6Music in the New Year’.