Sunderland DJ Lauren Laverne steps in to host Desert Island Discs

She is stepping in to host the long-running Radio 4 show while regular host Kirsty Young takes time off to recover from a form of fibromyalgia.

Young, 49, who has presented the show since 2006, told the Press Association: "Casting away some of the world's most fascinating people is a wonderful job.

"However, I'm having to take some time away from Desert Island Discs as I'm suffering from a form of fibromyalgia.

"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."

Laverne, 40, who was born and brought up in Sunderland, said: "It's a huge honour to be asked to cover my favourite programme on behalf of one of my heroes.

"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 Young will host the first two episodes with opera singer Danielle de Niese and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh as her castaways.

Castaways are asked to choose eight recordings (usually, but not always, music), a book and a luxury item they would take if they were to be stranded on a desert island, while discussing their lives and the reasons for their choices.

Young, the former anchor of Five News, took over from Sue Lawley as the host of Desert Island Discs in 2006 and has enjoyed success in the role.

Laverne will host the third episode onwards, and will continue to present her weekday mid-morning show on BBC Radio 6 Music.

She becomes 6 Music's new weekday Breakfast Show presenter in January 2019.