Young (pictured) will be temporarily replaced by fellow broadcaster Lauren Laverne
Kirsty Young has revealed she is leaving Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 for a ‘number of months’ because she is suffering from fibromyalgia.
The TV and radio presenter said she was stepping back from the ‘wonderful job’ to recover.
Young, 49, will be temporarily replaced by fellow broadcaster Lauren Laverne, 40, from BBC Radio 6.
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Symptoms also include increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and headaches.
Young said in a statement to the Press Association: ‘Casting away some of the world’s most fascinating people is a wonderful job – however, I’m having to take some time away from Desert Island Discs as I’m suffering from a form of fibromyalgia.
‘I wish Lauren all the very best, I know she will be great. And I very much look forward to getting back to good health and back to work.’
Laverne said: ‘It’s a huge honour to be asked to cover my favourite programme on behalf of one of my heroes.
‘As a listener first and foremost I know what a special place Desert Island Discs holds in the hearts of the British public.
‘So much of that is down to the warmth, wit and peerless skill of Kirsty Young.
‘I wish Kirsty better and will do my very best to look after Desert Island Discs until her return.’
Young said in a statement that she would be leaving the ‘wonderful job’ to recover from a form of fibromyalgia. Symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue and muscle spasms
Desert Island Discs, during which guests share the soundtrack of their lives, returns on September 16.
Young will host the first two episodes with castaways opera singer Danielle de Niese and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh.
Laverne will host the third episode onwards, as well as continuing to present her weekday mid-morning show on BBC Radio 6 Music.
Laverne said it was a huge honour to be filling the shoes of one her broadcasting heroes
‘Stepping into the biggest shoes in broadcasting’: Laverne told her Twitter followers about her new role
Young, a former Five News anchor, recently covered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding.
She took over from Sue Lawley as host of Desert Island Discs in 2006.