Kirsty Young has announced that she will be taking a break from presenting Desert Island Discs while she battles a form of fibromyalgia.
The 49-year-old will be stepping away from the BBC Radio 4 show for a ‘number of months’ after being diagnosed with the chronic pain condition.
"Casting away some of the world’s most fascinating people is a wonderful job," said Kirsty, who has fronted the show for 12 years.
"However, I’m having to take some time away from Desert Island Discs as I’m suffering from a form of fibromyalgia," she continued in a statement.
So who will be standing in for the star?
Who will replace Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs?
At the same time as announcing her temporary departure, Kirsty confirmed that respected DJ Lauren Laverne, 40, would be taking over the mic.
"I wish Lauren all the very best, I know she will be great. I very much look forward to getting back to good health and back to work," Kirsty continued.
And in her own statement, 6 Music presenter Lauren hailed Kirsty ‘one of my heroes’.
“It’s a huge honour to be asked to cover my favourite programme," she said.
What is fibromyalgia?
Also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), it is a chronic condition characterised by widespread pain throughout the body.
The cause of the condition is not yet known, but according to the NHS, abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain may alter how pain messages are transmitted.
It is thought that it can be passed down through genes and triggered by a stressful event such as bereavement, birth, surgery, injury or illness.
The condition affects as many as one in 20 people, with seven times as many women than men suffering from the condition, with most in the 30-50 age bracket.
Symptoms include:
Increased sensitivity to pain;
Sleep problems;
Irritable bowel syndrome;
Headaches;
Fatigue;
Problems with memory and concentration.
There is currently no cure although medication, therapy and lifestyle changes can be used to relieve the symptoms.
“As a listener first and foremost, I know what a special place Desert Island Discs holds in the hearts of the British public.
"So much of that is down to the warmth, wit and peerless skill of Kirsty Young. I wish Kirsty better and will do my very best to look after Desert Island Discs until her return."
Desert Island Discs returns on September 16, and Kirsty will present the first two instalments of the series with opera singer Danielle de Niese and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh.
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