We’ve got so much time for: Kirsty Young

CASTING AWAY A job you love because of poor health is never easy to do, but last week Kirsty Young, beloved host of Desert Island Discs, decided to step back for a ‘number of months’ in order to seek treatment for long-term pain from fibromyalgia. Her Scottish lilt and warm presence has led to some outstandingly emotional interviews that reveal so much more than her guests’ musical taste. In her tenure since 2006 she has taken a journey into sound with big names including David Attenborough, Victoria Wood and Marian Keyes – as well as Cast Away star Tom Hanks, who welled up as he spoke about his lonely childhood.

And while she’s been the mainstay for us as listeners of the show over more than a decade, we know Lauren Laverne will do a great job of keeping her seat warm. Get well soon Kirsty!