You, Me and the Big C hosts reveal why they’re leaving the podcast behind – as Lauren Mahon jokes she’s not ‘the face of cancer’ after beating the disease and Steve Bland set to welcome twins

• Hosts of You, Me and The Big C podcast said it is time to ‘pass the baton’ on show
• They reflect on grief for friend Deborah James after penultimate show last night
• READ MORE: Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon planning to ‘hang up headphones’

The hosts of You, Me and The Big C – which documented the journeys of the late Dame Deborah James and Rachael Bland – have said they are looking forward to a ‘new chapter’, as they prepare to say goodbye to the award-winning cancer podcast. 

Steve Bland, Rachael’s widower, said while it was ‘tough’ to leave the BBC podcast behind, they no longer felt their lives were relevant to sufferers of the disease.

He explains that life has changed for him and co-host Lauren Mahon since the podcast started five years ago, with Lauren now clear of cancer and Steve remarried and set to welcome twins with his new wife. 

‘It feels like it might be time,’ he said. ‘The girls were all going through active treatment at the time and when I joined I was going through the grief of losing Rachel.

‘We were very much in the trenches with the people that were listening.’

The dad-of-one married nurse Amy, and last month the couple announced they are expecting twins.

He appeared on Lorraine this morning alongside his co-host to discuss recording the penultimate episode in front of a live audience, including Deborah’s family, last night. 

‘When you’re with them you feel that closeness to Debs. I almost want to move into Debs’ parents house because I can just be close to them and her!’ said Lauren.

Reflecting on Deborah’s funeral in July last year, Lauren said it was the last time before last night’s recording that the podcasters were together with Deborah’s family.

Steve Bland (right) said he and fellow host Lauren Mahon’s (left) lives have changed since the podcast started five years ago, after he has remarried and Lauren is now clear of cancer

Bidding farewell: Lauren and Steve recorded the penultimate episode of the podcast in front of a live studio audience last night

Lorraine, who also attended the service, reflected that despite the tragic cirumstances, it had been a poignant and joyful event.

‘People obviously were crying but they were laughing, it was such a celebration of an amazing woman.’

Breast cancer survivor Lauren, who has been clear of the disease for five years, opened up about her grief for her friend Deborah but told ITV’s Lorraine that she feels it is time to move on with her career.

‘I feel good, I feel like this is a new chapter for me now. Deb dying last year was so painful and we’re so proud of everything she did.  But I do feel like now it’s time to close that chapter and figure out who Lozza is. I’m not “cancer face” you know, I’ve got more to me!’  

New beginnings: Steve got married to nurse Amy in August and announced last month that they are expecting twins

BBC podcaster Lauren hinted at building her career in media after You, Me and the big C comes to an end

Lauren went on to hint at building her career in media after the BBC podcast comes to an end, and told Lorraine Kelly she was grateful for the start the show gave her in broadcasting.

‘I’m really lucky that this whole process has allowed me to get into broadcast and things like that so I just want to explore that more and have some fun, you know talk about other things I don’t just need to talk about cancer!’

The cancer campaigner is also set to have a dramatised documentary-style series brought out about her journey after it was commissioned before Covid.

Line of Duty star Vicky Mclure has been tipped to star as Lauren in the show, with Lorraine pointing out how similar the two brunettes look

She said the programme will focus on her experience with cancer and how she went on to found her charity, GIRLvsCancer.

Line of Duty star Vicky Mclure has been tipped to star as Lauren in the show, with Lorraine pointing out how similar the two brunettes look.

The presenter expressed her excitement at what is to come for Lauren, who seemed equally excited for the future. 

‘They haven’t seen anything yet Lorraine, I’ve only just started!’ she teased.

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