BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood is known for keeping her personal life under wraps, but the beloved TV presenter has occasionally let slip some insights into her private world.
The weather presenter has navigated a tumultuous journey, particularly in recent times. The adored television personality experienced “devastating” heartbreak further down the road.
To the delight of many, Carol bounced back and found love once more. The meteorologist even excitedly told her colleagues that she “couldn’t be happier”.
Carol is a woman of many layers, with a secondary career beyond the studios, proving her skills extend well beyond meteorology.
We delve into her life away from the camera, exploring her emotional rollercoaster, an intimate yet not-so-secret wedding reception, and Carol’s alternative occupation that’s worlds apart from her television role, reports .
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Carol has a hidden career (Image: (Image: BBC))
Breakfast’s esteemed weather reporter was previously wed to Northern Irish professional cricketer Jimmy Kirkwood. In 1990, at the tender age of 28, Carol embarked on her career and also walked down the aisle with her athletic beau.
Years into their union, the couple announced their separation in 2008, which left Carol “devastated”. The weather lady remained silent on her split until age 61, she opened up on Kaye Adams’ How To Be 60 podcast.
On the programme, she candidly revealed for the first time that her marriage breakdown was the “hardest year” of her life.
Discussing her most challenging times, Carol confided in the host: “Probably the year I got divorced. I didn’t expect that to happen, and it was shocking. It was pretty devastating at the time, but it led to better things after that.”
She continued: “I think that was probably the hardest year, that or when my dad died.”
Carol was “devastated” after her first marriage broke down (Image: BBC)
Feeling a little off kilter after her separation from Jimmy, Carol acknowledged the difficulty in rediscovering herself, with the reasons behind their split still a mystery to this day.
The couple had been stuck in their domestic routines for years, each with their own household duties. After the breakup, Carol struggled to adapt to handling tasks that were once Jimmy’s domain.
On Kaye’s podcast, she reflected: “It was a transition between being married and being divorced and suddenly being on your own.”
Regarding taking over financial and administrative matters previously managed by her husband, she noted: “All of that was new to me at the ripe old age in my 40s. You were a wee bit lost, but you get on with it.”
Carol married Steve Randall in 2023 (Image: carolkirkwood/Twitter)
In a heartwarming turn of events, the presenter found love again and is now happily married to Steve Randall. She was introduced to Steve at an event she attended with TV personality Steph McGovern, and from there, their romance blossomed.
The pair got engaged in 2022 and exchanged vows at the end of 2023 in a low-key ceremony. Carol, known for her discretion, managed to keep the wedding details private, sparking rumours that she had married in secret.
However, on Breakfast, the weather presenter clarified the situation, explaining that “it wasn’t a secret” but rather a choice for a small ceremony in Buckinghamshire.
Back on TV, the blushing bride couldn’t help but share her joy with colleague Jon Kay: “Jon, I cannot tell you how fabulous it’s been! You shouldn’t really be talking like this about your own wedding, but it was blissful! It was romantic, it was absolutely perfect.”
She continued: “I would not change a thing about the day. It was very small as well and intimate, so you didn’t have to worry that Auntie Nelly didn’t have a glass of sherry in her hand! It was brilliant.”
Carol did go on to find love again (Image: (Image: BBC))
In a surprising twist in 2023, amazed viewers by disclosing a “secret” career. The beloved meteorologist revealed her hidden talent and passion for writing.
Appearing on The One Show, Carol discussed her ventures beyond presenting the weather, divulging her deep involvement in penning romance novels and promoting her latest literary work.
Carol has been busy promoting her new novel ‘Secrets of the Villa Amore’, yet surprisingly many of her fans were unaware that this is not her maiden literary voyage, as she has previously enjoyed success with titles like ‘Under a Greek Moon’ and ‘The Hotel on the Riviera’.
During a chat with host Alex Scott, the well-known weather presenter hinted at the contents of her latest work, describing it as brimming with “romance, betrayal, murder and scandal,” whilst confessing that this offering is “darker” compared to her former books.
She elaborated on the novel’s nature by saying: “It’s still a romance, in essence, and it’s still got twists and turns and jeopardy and stuff like that in it. But I just wanted just to try something a little bit different.”
Breakfast airs every day on One, from 6am.