She might be one of the UK's best-loved radio and TV presenters, but the past few years were tough going for Lauren Laverne as she faced a cancer diagnosis.
When HELLO! speaks to Lauren, who hosts Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and BBC Radio 6’s mid-morning show and is a regular presenter on BBC 1’s The One Show, she is open about how her health journey has affected her family.
© Getty"The kids have been absolutely extraordinary," says Lauren, who received the all-clear from cancer in November 2024. She and her husband, the DJ and TV producer Graeme Fisher, have two sons: Fergus James, 18, and Mack, 15.
"They're so brave and loving, and it brought us even closer as a family. I've been so proud of the way that they've handled it."
The star, who has not disclosed the type of cancer, adds: "It's made me determined to have honest, open conversations with the kids in an age-appropriate way, so they don't get any kind of nasty surprises around the corner. Our relationship has benefited from that.
"It's really hard telling your kids you've got cancer; I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. But I'd say to anybody in that position: your kids will surprise you with how strong, resilient and brilliant they can be."
© InstagramLauren, whose cancer was discovered during a routine screening, says that she feels "really good right now".
"I feel like I know myself; I feel really strong. I've been through some incredibly difficult things and I kept going. I'm really proud of that."
Supporting Big Give
Now, she's supporting Big Give's Small Charity Week, raising awareness for Beauty Banks, which supplies essential toiletries and personal care products to people living in poverty.
"It was co-founded by one of my best friends, the wonderful [journalist] Sali Hughes," she says.
The charity provides sanitary products for girls and also helps elderly people who are struggling financially. "It's really important to give them the dignity and access to these basics. It's not something that anybody in the UK in 2026 should be experiencing."
Big Give, a match-funding platform, has found big donors to double all donations from the public.
Lauren the cool mum
In the Nineties, she was lead singer and guitarist in the band Kenickie, and her incredible music connections make her the envy of many, but it's only recently that her children have noticed.
"I don't know how cool they think their mum is," she says. "A turning point was when my eldest asked, 'Have you met the Wu-Tang Clan?’ I said, 'Yeah,' He went, 'Really?' I said, 'Yeah, that's my job!’
"Music's big in our house. My 18-year-old is forever making playlists and at clubs seeing DJs. He's at film school and my little one is into fashion."
It's no surprise that, with a busy work life, her weekends are sacrosanct.
"It's about doing absolutely sod all: big shop, reading a book, I might plant some dahlias. Rock’n’roll Monday to Friday, gardening at the weekend," she says. "Party at the front, gardening at the back."
Visit donate.biggive.org/small-charity-week-2026 to support the Beauty Banks campaign.
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