Kirsty Young to anchor Queen’s platinum jubilee coverage on BBC

Presenter will return to broadcaster for first time since 2018 to oversee weekend of programming

The radio and TV presenter Kirsty Young will return to the BBC for the first time since 2018 to lead the broadcaster’s platinum jubilee coverage.

Young, who presented BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs for 12 years, stepped back from the programme in August 2018 because she had a form of fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.

In July 2019 she confirmed her break from the show would be permanent, saying it had inspired her to pursue new challenges.

The 53-year-old will return to the BBC in June to anchor a weekend of programming for the Queen’s platinum jubilee and will be joined by other presenters including Huw Edwards, Clare Balding, AJ Odudu, Roman Kemp and Anita Rani.

“I’m delighted to be back on the BBC for such an historic, unique, and happy event,” Young said. “It’s going to be quite a weekend and our coverage will bring viewers everywhere a front row seat at the celebrations. I can’t wait.”

Young and Kemp will lead live coverage of the Platinum Party at the Palace on 4 June. The celebration will bring together famous faces from the world of entertainment to perform for a night of musical tributes. The singer-songwriter George Ezra is the only act confirmed so far for the live concert.

The weekend will also include the Platinum Pageant, at which artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers from across the UK and the Commonwealth will tell the story of the Queen’s reign.

The pageant’s finale will feature a number of celebrities and Ed Sheeran will appear on stage to lead a special tribute to the Queen.

The BBC will also host a variety of programmes celebrating the Queen’s 70-year reign before and after the jubilee weekend, including The Queen’s Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years in the Baking on 12 May. Hosted by Dame Mary Berry, it follows a nationwide competition to find an original celebratory cake or pudding to mark the jubilee.

The winning recipe by an amateur baker will become a part of British culinary history. The five finalists have been revealed only as Shabnam, Susan, Sam, Jemma and Kathryn.

The BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, said the corporation was marking the jubilee with an unprecedented range of special programming. “In celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years of service the BBC will bring the people of the UK together with something for everyone to commemorate this historic anniversary culminating on the extended bank holiday weekend.”

Contributor

Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
BBC platinum jubilee review: Queen’s partial absence poses tricky challenges
Finding the right tone was not always easy, but the TV marathon was a triumphant return for Kirsty Young

Mark Lawson

05, Jun, 2022 @5:30 PM

Article image
Jubilee TV viewing figures down on previous royal occasions
Peak audience of 7.5 million people watched the BBC’s trooping the colour broadcast on Thursday

Jim Waterson and Emily Dugan

03, Jun, 2022 @1:47 PM

Article image
Queen’s platinum jubilee: key timings for official celebrations
All the main events across the UK and Commonwealth as monarch marks 70 years on the throne

Miranda Bryant

01, Jun, 2022 @5:27 PM

Article image
Carnival spirit to infuse Queen’s platinum jubilee shindig
Huge puppets, acrobats, dancers and musicians will join armed forces personnel for the pageant on 5 June next year

Caroline Davies

29, Jun, 2021 @1:10 PM

Article image
Kirsty Young to take Desert Island Discs break because of illness
Lauren Laverne will cover BBC Radio 4 show while host is away due to fibromyalgia

Nadia Khomami

30, Aug, 2018 @10:51 AM

Article image
Queen’s platinum jubilee year: ‘2022 will be year of mixed blessings’
June will see four-day celebrations but Prince Andrew’s court case is cloud on horizon

Caroline Davies

04, Jan, 2022 @7:00 AM

Article image
Trooping the colour kicks off Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations
Prince of Wales takes salute on his mother’s behalf while flag-waving crowd enjoys parade and flypast

Caroline Davies

02, Jun, 2022 @6:40 PM

Article image
Queen’s platinum jubilee to be marked with four-day bank holiday in 2022
It is part of a year of events to mark the first time a British sovereign has been on throne for seven decades

Caroline Davies

02, Jun, 2021 @2:30 PM

Article image
‘Cultural inspiration’: contemporary artists mark Queen’s jubilee
Mixing classical and urban styles, works reflect 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s cultural influence

Harriet Sherwood Arts and culture correspondent

13, May, 2022 @12:16 PM

Article image
Platinum jubilee Queen Barbie sells out in three seconds
Now online traders are asking for at least twice the original £95 asking price of the special commemorative doll

Zoe Wood Consumer affairs correspondent

13, May, 2022 @9:59 PM