Kirsty Young had to make a ‘sobering decision’ after doctor’s ‘severe pain’ ultimatum

Kirsty Young stepped down from her roles due to ill health but returns to our screens once again in honor of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Video is loading

Video not available

The video will start playing automatically soon8thCancel

Play Now

Kirsty Young talks about Desert Island Discs in 2012

BBC presenter Kirsty Young has come out of retirement to honor the Queen at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Kirsty is hosting the BBC’s coverage of this once in a lifetime occasion.

It’s the star’s first time working since a hiatus in 2018 after dealing with “severe and unrelenting” pain from her rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Describing the pain she was in, she said it had gotten so bad she couldn’t even lift a water bottle.

She was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018, which happened to trigger her secondary condition, fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia means your pain threshold isn’t working as it should, so even the slightest tap can lead to agony.

Her terms meant she had to take a break from the career she’d worked so hard for – but now it’s a welcome return.

Speaking about leaving the Desert Island Discs radio show, Kirsty said, “It was hard to walk away, but it was clearly the only option” because of her struggles.

She said hosting the iconic show is the “most interesting job I’ve ever had.”

do you love the royals Sign up for Mirror’s daily newsletter for the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to login.

Describing the ultimatum her doctor gave her following her diagnosis in The Times, she said: “[He said] “There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s a long tunnel. I can’t heal you, but I can treat you. It’s a managed condition.’

“But there was a catch. ‘Can you take it back from work for a while, work part-time?” he asked.

“I said, ‘I’m not. You’re either in or out of my job.’

“He told me, ‘I can treat you with all the medications, but unless you get deep rest for a long period of time and get rid of all the potential stressors, you can’t do the other part of the treatment either.’

Kirsty said her step away from her busy lifestyle has resulted in “a complete makeover of life”.

She added: “I had always worked, it was central to all the things I did. My ambition completely failed me. I started reading novels, I spent a lot more time with my kids, a lot more conversations, time at the kitchen table, in a beautiful garden. I reconnected with the world.”

But when the chance to host the BBC’s Platinum Jubilee presented itself, she decided to take it.

Describing the opportunity, she said: “It’s a unique moment. We’ll never see it again, certainly in our lifetime and maybe never, so I couldn’t resist.”

It’s not the first time Kirsty has been entrusted with royal reporting. The presenter covered Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding for the BBC, making it one of her last appearances before stepping down from the role.

As part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, there will be four days of live broadcasts including the lighting of beacons across Britain and the Commonwealth, a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s, a party at Buckingham Palace, interviews with some of the biggest entertainers in the world and many intricate showpieces.

Get your Collectors Edition OK! Magazine Platinum Jubilee Special – now in all well-assorted magazine shops and online for only €9.99.