Young sets sail for Desert Island

Channel Five newsreader Kirsty Young is to become the new presenter of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

The 37-year-old will host the show when the next series begins in the autumn. She takes over from Sue Lawley, who stepped down as presenter after 18 years.

Young is only the fourth person to host the show - one of the longest-running programmes on BBC radio.

Young, who is on maternity leave from Five, said: 'I've loved Desert Island Discs for as long as I've been listening to radio.

'There isn't a show on the radio I'd rather present - I can't wait to get started.' The show asks guests to pretend they are stranded on a desert island and to choose music, a book and a luxury item to take with them.

They are also interviewed about their life and career. Former guests include Noel Coward, George Clooney and Stephen Hawking.

Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer described Ms Young as the perfect choice and said he was delighted at her appointment.

The two other presenters of the show, first aired on January 29, 1942, were creator Roy Plomley and Michael Parkinson.