Lauren Cecilia Fisher (née Gofton; born 28 April 1978), known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio and television presenter, author and singer. She was the lead singer and guitarist in the alternative rock band Kenickie.

The group's album At The Club reached the top 10, although her greatest chart success came when she performed vocals on Mint Royale's single "Don't Falter". Laverne has presented numerous television programmes, including 10 O'Clock Live for Channel 4, and The Culture Show and coverage of the Glastonbury Festival for the BBC. She has also written a published novel entitled Candypop: Candy and the Broken Biscuits. She presents the late morning to lunch time show on BBC Radio 6 Music, and in 2018 became the host of the long-running radio show Desert Island Discs.

Early life and education

Born Lauren Cecelia Gofton on 28 April 1978, she was brought up in Barnes, Sunderland, with her brother. Her father was one of nine and her mother was one of six. One grandfather had been a shipbuilder, the other a coalminer.

The band put out an EP in 1995 on the local Slampt label; and then later signed with EMI, releasing four top 40 singles and two albums, the first of which made the top 10.

Kenickie dissolved in 1998. In 2000 Laverne released a solo EP, Take These Flowers Away, contributed a version of "In the Bleak Midwinter" to Xfm London's It's a Cool, Cool Christmas album, played at the Reading Festival, and made the top 20 for the only time in her singing career as vocalist on "Don't Falter" by Mint Royale. She was also working on a solo album at this time, but this was permanently put on hold by the collapse of Deceptive Records.

She subsequently provided guest vocals on the Divine Comedy's 2004 single "Come Home Billy Bird".

Television

During Kenickie's existence Laverne had started making television appearances, including as a panellist on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and by the time of their dissolution she was presenting Play UK's series The Alphabet Show.

Laverne narrates the animated series Tee and Mo, as shown on the CBeebies channel.

In May 2022, the BBC announced that Laverne would be one of the guest presenters to take over Richard Osman's role on Pointless.

In August 2023, the BBC announced that Laverne would be joining as one of two additional co-presenters of The One Show, along with Roman Kemp.

Laverne also works as a TV commercial voiceover artist; as of 2022, she narrated commercials for the Automobile Association.

Radio

thumb|right|Laverne in 2007

Having previously sat in for BBC Radio 1's Steve Lamacq, Laverne joined Xfm London in 2002, co-hosting a Saturday morning show with Mark Webster, while occasionally standing in for various DJs on BBC Radio 6 Music, including Phill Jupitus' breakfast show where one morning she interviewed her own brother Pete (who records under the name J Xaverre) Laverne took over XFM's drivetime slot from Zoe Ball at the start of 2004, winning Best Newcomer at the Commercial Radio Awards in 2004.

She became host of the XFM breakfast show on 31 October 2005 after Christian O'Connell moved to Virgin Radio, but left suddenly in April 2007 to pursue her television interests. However, Laverne went on to guest present on BBC Radio 2.

Laverne joined BBC Radio 6 Music in June 2008 to present a Saturday weekend show before taking over the Monday to Friday morning (10:00 to 13:00) slot from George Lamb in November 2009. From January 2019, Laverne replaced Shaun Keaveny on the 6 Music Breakfast Show in a station schedule re-shuffle, which airs Monday – Friday, 07:30 to 10:30.

In 2014, Laverne guest-edited Woman's Hour on Radio 4, and in 2015 began hosting Late Night Woman's Hour, a spinoff series.

In September 2018, Laverne took over as host to Radio 4's Desert Island Discs when Kirsty Young took time off because of fibromyalgia treatment. It was later announced that Young would not be returning and Laverne would be her permanent replacement.

In June 2020, Laverne helped to launch m4d Radio, an internet radio station designed for people with dementia and their carers. As well as recording a welcome message for the radio station, Laverne spearheaded the station's #Song4You campaign, where celebrities and members of the public were encouraged to dedicate a song to someone they know who is affected by dementia.

Writing

In 2010, Laverne published her first novel Candypop – Candy and the Broken Biscuits, about rock chick Candy Caine, 15, on her journey to the world's biggest music festival, Glastonbury. The book is published by HarperCollins.

She was a columnist for The Guardian from 2012 to 2014, writing about style and British culture.

In April 2015, Laverne launched The Pool, an online platform aimed at women. The site was co-founded with writer and magazine editor Sam Baker and included features from Sali Hughes and Viv Groskop. The website also included regular podcasts and videos with Caitlin Moran. The platform entered administration in January 2019.

Personal life

Laverne's mother, Celia Gofton, was elected a councillor for the Pallion ward in the City of Sunderland in 2006, and sought nomination as Labour candidate in 2008 in the Sunderland Central constituency but was defeated by Julie Elliott, who went on to win the seat for Labour in the 2010 general election. Her mother died in June 2022.

Laverne was raised as a Catholic, but also described her atheist father as an influence on her. In 2011, she said: "Once a Catholic... It's like the Mafia - you don't get to leave. I'm not sure I'd want to, but I'm incredibly angry with the Church at the moment." She is a supporter of Sunderland Football Club.

In 2005, Laverne became an ambassador for Sunderland, promoting and raising awareness of her home city. She received an honorary fellowship from the University of Sunderland in July 2009.

Laverne has been a vegetarian since the age of four.

In August 2024, Laverne stated that she had been diagnosed with cancer, but was expected to make a full recovery. On 24 November 2024, she announced that she had been given the "all clear" following treatment.

Politics

In late 1996, Laverne referred to the Spice Girls as "Tory scum" for their support for the Conservatives. This was before the 1997 general election.

Discography

; Solo singles:

  • Take These Flowers Away EP (did not chart)
  1. "I Fell Out of a Tree"
  2. "Good Morning Sunshine"
  3. “Monkey Dance”
  4. "To Have a Home"
  5. "Some Kind of Other Presence"
  6. "If You Phone (Netmix)" (internet only bonus track)

; Other solo releases:

  • "Don't Falter", Mint Royale featuring Lauren Laverne, No. 15 (w/b 31 January 2000) Also released on parent album On the Ropes
  • "In the Bleak Midwinter" (on It's A Cool Cool Christmas compilation) (did not chart)
  • "Come Home Billy Bird", the Divine Comedy (uncredited vocalist), No. 24 (w/b 28 March 2004) Also released on parent album Absent Friends

BBC Radio sessions

Evening Session, BBC Radio 1, August 2000

  • "Don't Falter" (rock version)
  • "Mexico"
  • "Thank You"
  • To Have A Home

Air, BBC Radio Scotland, December 2000

  • "Ian"
  • "Open"

References

  • Lauren Laverne (BBC Radio 6 Music)
  • Desert Island Discs (BBC Radio 4)