Kirsty Young taking Desert Island Discs break due to illness

Kirsty Young has confirmed she is stepping way from \'Desert Island Discs\' due to illness.

The 49-year-old presenter - who has been at the helm of the BBC Radio 4 series since 2006 - has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and will be replaced by Lauren Laverne until she is ready to return to work.

She announced: "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."

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition which can cause widespread, chronic pain, with symptoms including fatigue, headaches, muscle tiredness and issues with digestion.

Lauren, 40, has opened up about stepping into the role on the popular show, making her the fifth host - after Kirsty, Roy Plomley, Sir Michael Parkinson and Sue Lawley - since it was first broadcast in 1942.

Following the announcement, she tweeted: "This autumn I\'m going to be stepping into the biggest shoes in broadcasting for a while Wishing the phenomenal Kirsty Young better very soon. (sic)"

The series will be back on September 16, with Lauren taking over from episode three onwards.

The first two episodes - and Kirsty\'s final ones before her time off to recover - will see soprano Danielle de Niese and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh.