Lauren Laverne has made an emotional return to BBC Radio 6 Music after a six-month absence following her cancer diagnosis – taking up a new mid-morning slot at the station.
The 46-year-old presenter, who stepped away from her breakfast show duties in August last year, marked her comeback on Monday with a heartfelt message to listeners.
“Thank you for welcoming me home, and letting me be myself here on 6 Music, it feels so good to be back,” Laverne said as she began her new programme at 10am.
Laverne expressed her joy at being back, telling listeners: “It is wonderful to be here, back in a place that feels most like home to me.”
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The DJ promised to play “comeback tunes” during her first show, saying she was “popping up like the proverbial jack in the box.”
Before going on air, she shared her enthusiasm with incoming breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw, saying: “It feels fantastic, I’ve been so excited, it’s… nervous energy and just excitement to get going.”
Taking to Instagram after her show, the 46-year-old shared pictures of her beaming in the studio and wrote: “Looking as happy as I felt to be back on air @BBCRadio6 this morning.”
“Last summer today felt like it might never come so it was hugely emotional and joyful to return to doing what I love full time,” she continued.
“Thank you so much to everyone who helped get me here, everyone who listened and messaged, to my amazing show team and the incredible people who run our station and have been so supportive during such a difficult time.
“I feel so lucky and grateful. Will be back with you 10-1 tomorrow. Can’t wait to do it all again,” she glowed to fans.
Last August, Laverne revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in a candid but upbeat Instagram post.
Alongside the snap from the hospital, Laverne’s statement in full reads: “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,” she wrote.
In November, Laverne joyously revealed she had been given the “all clear” regarding her cancer.
The presenter later announced she would step down from her morning show after six years at the helm.
During her time away from Radio 6 Music, she did make appearances on other BBC programmes, including BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and BBC One’s The One Show.
“I’ve been off-air for six months, there’s only one question, and that is this what have I missed? I’ve been dying to know,” she told listeners during her return show.
Ahead of her return, Laverne prepared thoroughly, telling listeners she had completed “a couple of run-through shows here, to remember how to press the buttons.”
The presenter received warm support from friends, sharing on Instagram that they had sent her “good luck flowers” on Sunday evening.
“I’ve been looking forward to spending the mornings with you,” she told her audience, embodying the enthusiasm that has marked her return to broadcasting after her health-related break.
