Lauren Laverne’s love story with DJ husband Graeme Fisher after pair met on pop TV show and had two sons together
BBC radio DJ Lauren Laverne has not only had a highly successful career but also a long-running marriage to her husband Graeme Fisher.
Lauren has presented the popular Radio 4 show Desert Island Discs since 2018 and is currently also a presenter on The One Show with Jermaine Jenas.
But she found fame as a teenager when she started her music career at the age of 16 as the lead singer of Britpop band Kenickie.
While she has foraged a successful career she has also enjoyed a nearly 20-year relationship with her husband.
Graeme is a DJ and television producer and the couple married in 2005 and currently live in London.
Their first son, Fergus James Fisher, arrived in 2007 while their second son, Mach Fisher, was born in 2010.
Talking to The Guardian, Lauren said that Graeme had left his job to be the primary carer of their children.
She said: “My husband has gone from the job he was doing making TV programmes to being the main carer for our boys.
“He has a fantastic relationship with them, we both muck in, and to be honest, it’s all a bit of a scramble.”
When asked what the best kiss of her life had been so far, she told The Guardian: “The first with my husband, 20 years ago. We worked together on a pop TV show in the early 00s.
“He invited me to a gig and we both thought other people would come, but nobody did. We realised that it was Valentine’s Day and ended up getting together.”
In the same interview, Lauren gave an insight into motherhood and also shared what she fears about getting older.
Speaking of her two sons, she said she’d like to leave them “the knowledge that they were absolutely adored for exactly who they are” and when quizzed about her apprehensions about ageing, she simply added her main worry is: “Losing people.”
Lauren also told Red Magazine there was no secret to their 20-year relationship.
She said: “I think we’re really lucky and I’m really glad we’re happy and we still get on well.
“But I’m not going to sit here and spout kernels of wisdom, because there might be people reading this going through a divorce thinking, ‘Lauren, shut up.’
“We’ve been together a long time and we get on great, but that’s not necessarily the goal for everyone.”
While Lauren is best known for her radio presenting, she started her broadcasting career fronting Play UK’s series The Alphabet Show alongside with Chris Addison.
Then after that she has hosted a long list of other shows including Planet Pop and Loves Like A Dog for Channel 4, Party in the Park with Mel B, Pop for Five, and Orange Playlist for ITV.
Later she became one of BBC Two’s main presenters of their coverage of Glastonbury.
Lauren also hosts her morning show on BBC Radio 6 as the long-running radio show Desert Island Discs.
Lauren replaced Kirsty Young on the latter show back in 2018 after the presenter stepped down due to health problems, following 12 years on the airwaves.
The change in such a beloved show caused some friction at the time with listeners, but Lauren wasn’t discouraged by the backlash.
In a statement on Twitter, now known as X, she wrote: “Today has been an entirely unexpected inventory of who is in my corner.
“I have to say I couldn’t be happier. In fact it’s been the best day in ages. Isn’t it funny how it goes that way sometimes? Thanks very much to everyone who has been so kind.”
She later added: “The wave of messages is as surreal as it is wonderful. As a seasoned festival-goer I’ve had many surreal experiences while wearing a kagoule but this is a new personal best.
“Thank you all so much for your kind words. I hope to live up to them.”
Now the 46-year-old has revealed the devastating news she has cancer.
The star made the brave announcement in an Instagram post from her hospital bed.
The host explained she had been diagnosed with the disease but it was caught early and expects she will make a “full recovery”.
Lauren did not reveal what type of cancer she has, but said it was spotted during a screening test.
She said: “I recently had a cancer diagnosis. It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I am expected to make a full recovery.
“I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: firstly to medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness.
Lauren's statement in full
“Right then, some personal news… I recently had a cancer diagnosis.
“It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I am expected to make a full recovery.
“I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: Firstly to the medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness.
“To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way – I am so very grateful and love you so much. And of course thank you to my colleagues… for their support – and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.
“I also want to say that if you’re avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out please, please do it today.
“Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything.
“It’s usually my job to bring the good vibes on air but any you have to spare are very much welcome here.
“Sending loads of love to anyone in a similar boat, or who has made it back to shore xxx.”
“To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way – I am so very grateful and love you so much.
“And of course thank you to my colleagues…. for their support and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.”
Lauren urged her followers to attend every scan or appointment they’re given as it could be a life saver.
She added: “If you’re avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out please, please do it today.
“Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything.”