Lauren Laverne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lauren Laverne
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Laverne speaking at the AIM Independent Music Awards in 2019
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| Born |
Lauren Cecilia Gofton
28 April 1978 Sunderland, England
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| Alma mater | City of Sunderland College |
| Occupation | Disc jockey, broadcaster, singer, author |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Television | The Culture Show 10 O'Clock Live The One Show |
| Spouse(s) |
Graeme Fisher
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 2 |
Lauren Cecilia Fisher (born 28 April 1978), known as Lauren Laverne, is a famous English radio DJ, TV presenter, author, and singer. She was the lead singer and guitarist for the alternative rock band Kenickie.
Her band's album At The Club reached the top 10 in the music charts. Lauren also had a big hit when she sang on Mint Royale's song "Don't Falter". She has presented many TV shows, including 10 O'Clock Live for Channel 4 and The Culture Show for the BBC. She also covered the Glastonbury Festival for the BBC. Lauren has written a book called Candypop: Candy and the Broken Biscuits. Today, she hosts the breakfast show on BBC Radio 6 Music. In 2018, she became the host of the very popular radio show Desert Island Discs.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lauren Cecilia Gofton was born on 28 April 1978. She grew up in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, in a big family. Her father was a sociology lecturer at Newcastle University, and her mother was a teacher.
She went to St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School in 1982. There, she became friends with Marie Nixon, who later joined her band Kenickie. From 1989 to 1994, she attended St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy. Here, she and Marie met Emma Jackson. Lauren then studied at City of Sunderland College from 1994 to 1996.
Music Career
While at college, Lauren, Marie, and Emma, all 16, formed the band Kenickie. Lauren's brother, Peter, also joined them. They chose stage names like Lauren Laverne and Marie du Santiago. The band started with a local punk label before signing with EMI. Kenickie had four songs in the top 40 and one album in the top 10.
Lauren and her bandmates were known for their funny and sharp comments during interviews and on stage. This made them popular guests on comedy shows like Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Lauren also appeared on Have I Got News for You.
In 2000, Lauren released her own music EP called Take These Flowers Away. She also sang on "Don't Falter" by Mint Royale, which became a top 20 hit. She worked on a solo album, but it was stopped when her record label closed. Later, she sang on Divine Comedy's song "Come Home Billy Bird" in 2004.
Discography
- Solo singles
- Take These Flowers Away EP (did not chart)
- "I Fell Out of a Tree"
- "Good Morning Sunshine"
- “Monkey Dance”
- "To Have a Home"
- "Some Kind of Other Presence"
- "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)
- "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)
Television Work
Lauren's first TV job was for The Alphabet Show on Play UK. She later presented Planet Pop and Loves Like A Dog for Channel 4. She also hosted Fanorama for E4 and Pop for Five. Lauren reported for RI:SE and led the house band on Johnny Vaughan Tonight.
She became a main presenter for BBC Two's coverage of the Glastonbury Festival. She also hosted ITV2's coverage of events like the British Comedy Awards and the BRIT Awards. In 2001, she presented a documentary for Sky One about the popular TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In 2000, Lauren voiced Shinobu in the BBC's version of Urusei Yatsura.
From 2006 to 2010, she was a regular presenter on the weekly BBC arts show The Culture Show. She also hosted the second series of Transmission with T-Mobile on Channel 4. Lauren took over from Jo Whiley on Orange Mobile Act Unsigned, a talent show for new artists.
In 2009, she became a regular presenter for It's Not Easy Being Green on BBC Two. She also narrated Tough Guy or Chicken? on BBC Three. On 6 May 2010, she co-hosted Channel 4's Alternative Election Night. From 2011, she joined her co-hosts on Channel 4's news show 10 O'Clock Live. Lauren narrates the animated series Tee and Mo on the CBeebies channel.
In May 2022, the BBC announced that Lauren would be a guest presenter for Pointless. In August 2023, she joined The One Show as a co-presenter.
Radio Career
Lauren joined Xfm London in 2002, co-hosting a Saturday morning show. She also filled in for DJs on BBC Radio 6 Music. In 2004, she took over XFM's drivetime show and won Best Newcomer at the Commercial Radio Awards. She then hosted the XFM breakfast show from 2005 but left in 2007 to focus on TV.
Lauren joined BBC Radio 6 Music in June 2008 for a weekend show. In November 2009, she took over the Monday to Friday morning slot. Since January 2019, Lauren has hosted the 6 Music Breakfast Show.
In 2014, Lauren was a guest editor for Woman's Hour on Radio 4. In 2015, she started hosting Late Night Woman's Hour, a spin-off series. In September 2018, Lauren became the host of Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. She took over permanently after Kirsty Young stepped down due to illness.
In June 2020, Lauren helped launch m4d Radio, an internet radio station for people with dementia and their carers. She led a campaign encouraging people to dedicate songs to those affected by dementia.
Writing and Online Work
In 2010, Lauren published her first novel, Candypop – Candy and the Broken Biscuits. The book is about a 15-year-old rock chick named Candy Caine and her journey to the Glastonbury Festival. It was published by HarperCollins.
She wrote a column for The Guardian from 2012 to 2014, sharing her thoughts on style and British culture. In April 2015, Lauren launched The Pool, an online platform for women. She co-founded the site with writer Sam Baker. The platform included articles, podcasts, and videos.
Personal Life
Lauren Laverne married TV producer and DJ Graeme Fisher in County Durham in August 2005. They live in London and also have a flat in Sunderland. They had their first child in October 2007. On 30 March 2010, Lauren announced she was pregnant again, and their second son was born in September 2010.
Lauren's mother, Celia Gofton, was a local councillor in Sunderland. She passed away in June 2022. Lauren is a Roman Catholic. She supports Sunderland Football Club. In 2005, Lauren became an ambassador for Sunderland, helping to promote her home city. She received an honorary award from the University of Sunderland in July 2009. Lauren has been a vegetarian since she was four years old.
In August 2024, Lauren shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She later announced in November 2024 that she had made a full recovery after treatment.
Political Views
Lauren Laverne has supported the Labour Party. In 1996, on a children's TV show, she made a strong comment about the Spice Girls and their support for the Conservatives. This was before the 1997 general election. She expressed a strong opinion about politics, which was common for many people at that time.
Images for kids
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Lauren Laverne in 2007
