I’m leaving my Desert Island, says BBC Kirsty
Presenter, 50, quits Radio 4 programme after 12 years
SHE is the voice of one of Britain’s best-loved radio shows.
But after 12 years, Kirsty Young is stepping down as host of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
The East Kilbride-born broadcaster said she was leaving the show to ‘pursue new challenges’.
Last September, Miss Young, 50, took a break to recover from chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, with 6 Music breakfast host Lauren Laverne filling in.
Yesterday, Radio 4 said Miss Young has decided to step down.
‘After 12 incredibly happy and fulfilling years on Desert Island Discs, I’ve decided to step down permanently,’ Miss Young said.
‘Having been forced to take some months away from my favourite job because of health problems, I’m happy to say I am now well on the way to feeling much better.
‘But that enforced absence from the show has altered my perspective on what I should do next – and so I’ve decided it’s time to pursue new challenges.
‘Having hundreds of castaways share their triumphs, tragedies, tribulations and tracks with me over the years was a huge privilege and an education.
‘I wish the programme and Lauren all the very best.’
Miss Young, who has hosted Desert Island Discs since 2006, has presented
‘Absence has altered my perspective’
496 episodes – including fronting the 70th and 75th anniversary celebrations of the show which was devised by Roy Plomley in 1942.
In February, it was named the greatest ever UK radio programme.
Asking its guests to imagine themselves as castaways on a desert island and choose music, a book and a luxury item that they would take with them, the show ‘emphatically’ scooped the No1 spot in the top 30 list.
Soap opera The Archers, which has been set in the fictional village of Ambridge since 1951, came second. The 1960s comedy classic Round the Horne was placed third.
Miss Young’s selection of castaways have included Zadie Smith, David Beckham, Bruce Springsteen, Victoria Wood, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Judi Dench, George Michael, Alice Walker, Tom Hanks, Second World War pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown, Sir David Attenborough and Ed Sheeran.
Miss Laverne, 41, will continue to host Desert Island Discs for the foreseeable future, but the permanent slot is thought to be up for grabs. She said: ‘Stepping in for Kirsty on Desert Island Discs, which was already my favourite programme, has been an enormous honour.
‘I wish her the very best in her next chapter.’
BBC director of radio and education James Purnell said: ‘Kirsty has been a wonderful host of Desert Island Discs and her intuitive interviewing style, as well as her warmth and humour, has helped bring out incredible life stories and anecdotes from her castaways. We know how loved she is by listeners and we all wish her well for the future.
‘Lauren Laverne has been doing a brilliant job at the helm in Kirsty’s absence and I’m delighted she continues to host one of Radio 4’s most popular shows.’
Miss Young’s media career began as a continuity announcer for BBC Radio Scotland in 1989.
In 1992 she moved to STV as a Scotland Today presenter.
She later returned to the BBC to present Holiday and The Street.
In 1997, she joined the new Channel 5 news team.
She also presented the BBC’s Crimewatch from January 2008 until December 2015.