Kirsty Young Illness: What Happened To Kirsty Young? What Illness Does Kirsty Young Have?
by Hemalatha R
Updated Apr 19, 2023
Kirsty Young
Kirsty Jackson Young is a Scottish television and radio presenter who has made her mark in the broadcasting industry with her impressive work. Born on November 23, 1968, in East Kilbride, Young attended Cambusbarron Primary School and Stirling High School. She later went on to pursue a career in the media industry, which started off as a runner and then as a researcher.
Young gained popularity when she became the main presenter of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs from 2006 to 2018. She also hosted the BBC One show Crimewatch from 2008 to 2015. Her impressive work in the industry earned her several accolades, including the Sony Radio Academy Gold Award in 2009 for the "Interview of the Year" category.
Despite her successful career, Young had to face a tough time when she was diagnosed with an undisclosed medical condition that forced her to take a break from work. After a year of struggling with her health, she was eventually diagnosed with a condition that led a "brilliant professor of rheumatology" to advise her to reduce her workload. Although she did not reveal the exact nature of her illness, it forced her to step down from her position on Desert Island Discs in 2018.
During her career, Young has been quite open about her personal life as well. She has been married twice, first to Tania, with whom she has two children, Natasha and Oliver. She then married Nicholas Keith Arthur Jones, an English restaurateur and club proprietor, in 1999, at Babington House hotel and health club, which Jones owned. The couple has two daughters, Freya and Iona.
Young has also shared her personal struggles, including her battle with bulimia as a teenager. In her first TV show, she talked about her experience with the eating disorder, which lasted for a brief period, and how she dealt with it herself. Kirsty Young has made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry, and her work has been appreciated by many. She continues to inspire others with her professionalism and honesty, both on and off the screen.
Kirsty Young illness
TV and radio presenter Kirsty Young recently opened up about her battle with fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes pain throughout the body, and rheumatoid arthritis. Young, who hosted almost 500 episodes of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs between 2006 and 2018, stepped down to receive treatment for her conditions.
In a recent interview with Lauren Laverne, who took over her presenting duties, Young stated that she is “so much better” and explained how she spent a year visiting different doctors before finding a “brilliant” professor of rheumatology who made a diagnosis. Young said that the professor advised her to take her condition seriously, lessen her stress levels, and seek medical attention.
Dealing with chronic long-term pain can cause a person to lose their personality, sense of humor, and sense of self. Young felt that leaving a job she “absolutely loved” made her feel shaky, as she questioned her identity. However, Young was able to make a comeback and host the BBC coverage of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee celebrations in February as well as the final moments of the monarch’s funeral at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Young reflected on the appeal of Desert Island Discs, saying that the show has a “hammock-like quality” that fits around the person who is there. Each guest’s music selection, length of time speaking, and entrance and exit routes to the studio provide comfort and familiarity. On Christmas Day, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds will broadcast the entirety of Young’s Desert Island Discs interview.
Young’s story highlights the challenges of dealing with chronic pain and the importance of seeking medical attention and taking the condition seriously. While it can be difficult to adjust to a new reality and question one’s identity, it is possible to make a comeback and find new opportunities. Young’s return to hosting the BBC coverage of the queen’s jubilee celebrations and her reflections on the appeal of Desert Island Discs demonstrate the resilience and determination necessary to overcome chronic illness.
What Happened to Kirsty Young?
Kirsty Young, a well-known TV and radio presenter, has spoken out about her struggle with Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Young, who presented BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs for almost 500 episodes between 2006 and 2018, revealed that her illnesses left her questioning her own identity. She eventually stepped down from her role to receive treatment.
In an interview with Lauren Laverne for a special edition of Desert Island Discs on Christmas Day, Young spoke about her journey towards a diagnosis. She said she spent a year visiting different doctors before finding a "brilliant" professor of rheumatology who was able to make a diagnosis. The professor advised Young that if she wanted to recover from her condition, she needed to "take her condition seriously", lessen her stress levels, and get medical attention.
Young explained how receiving the diagnosis left her feeling shaken and questioning her own identity. Leaving a job that she "absolutely loved" and had intended to continue doing until she was forced to leave made her feel "very shaky". She said, "I did feel like, if I’m not that, what am I for? What is a Kirsty for? That was absurd, of course, as the old adage goes, ‘The cracks are where the light gets in,’ and all kinds of other good things happened.
In that instance, you sort of lose yourself. There are many things going on, and when you suffer from chronic pain, you essentially lose yourself." Young's battle with chronic pain caused her to lose her personality, sense of humor, and sense of self. She emphasized that chronic pain is an absolute pain, both literally and figuratively, and it wears you down. However, she also highlighted the importance of taking the condition seriously in order to improve.
She said that all kinds of good things happened after she took her condition seriously and received treatment. Despite her struggles, Young has made a comeback to host the BBC's coverage of the late Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in February. During the broadcast, a visibly moved Young said, "The Queen’s funeral has certainly exemplified her reign.
She brought us together for one last act of solidarity, fostering a sense of reverence, ceremony, and significance throughout the UK and the wider world." Young's Desert Island Discs interview will be broadcast in its entirety on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds on Christmas Day at 11:15 am.
Kirsty Young Husband
Nicholas Keith Arthur Jones, a successful restaurateur and club proprietor, was born on September 22, 1963, in England. He is best known as the founder and former CEO of Soho House UK Ltd, a luxury private members' club that offers various amenities like restaurants, cinemas, health spas, and bedrooms. Jones also owns the Babington House hotel and health club, and he has a 10% minority shareholding in the Soho House group.
Jones started his journey in the hospitality industry by opening his first restaurant in London in 1995. However, it was in 1998 that he established Soho House, which became an instant hit among high-profile clientele in the UK. The concept of a private members' club offering exclusive services and amenities was new and unique at the time, and Jones' vision helped him create a brand that would become synonymous with luxury.
In 1999, Jones tied the knot with television presenter Kirsty Young at Babington House, a location that would later become part of his hospitality empire. The couple has two daughters together, Freya and Iona. Jones' business success has earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for his services to the hospitality industry, and he was also included in the Debrett's list of the 500 most influential people in the UK in 2017.
Jones' entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach have led him to expand his business globally. Soho House now has locations in major cities worldwide, including New York, Miami, Berlin, and Mumbai. Despite his success, Jones has also faced some challenges in his personal life.
His first marriage to Tania ended in divorce, and he had to cope with his second wife, Kirsty Young's health issues. Young was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, which forced her to take a break from her media career to focus on her health.
Kirsty Young illness - FAQs
Kirsty Young's most famous role on BBC Radio 4 was as the main presenter of Desert Island Discs from 2006 to 2018.
Kirsty Young presented Crimewatch on BBC One from 2008 to 2015.
Kirsty Young was born in East Kilbride, Scotland. She attended Cambusbarron Primary School and Stirling High School.
No, Kirsty Young did not attend university. She began her media career as a runner and then as a researcher.
Yes, Kirsty Young revealed that she suffered from bulimia as a teenager in the first episode of her first TV show. However, she only experienced it for a few months and was able to deal with it herself.