Carol Kirkwood, the Scottish weather presenter whose warm presence graced BBC Breakfast screens for more than a quarter of a century, stepped away from the microphone in April 2026. Her departure marked the end of a broadcasting career that spanned 28 years at the BBC, a tenure that made her one of the most recognisable faces on British television. But Kirkwood is far more than a weather forecaster – she is also a bestselling novelist, a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, and a woman who found love later in life, marrying her husband Steve Randall in her early sixties.
Born in the Scottish Highlands, Kirkwood’s journey from a small hotel run by her parents to the national news desk is a story of determination and reinvention. After leaving the BBC, she has turned her attention to writing, with a sixth romance novel due in October 2026, and plans to enjoy a quieter life with her husband in Berkshire. Here is a comprehensive overview of her life, career, and retirement.
Who is Carol Kirkwood? Biography and Career Overview
Age
63 (born 29 May 1962)
Marital Status
Married to Steve Randall (Dec 2023)
Children
None
Notable TV Role
BBC Weather Presenter (1998–2026)
- Carol Kirkwood retired from the BBC in April 2026 after 28 years as a weather presenter – she joined the corporation in 1998 and became the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast from 2010 onward.
- She married Steve Randall, a policeman, on 27 December 2023 at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire, a relationship she announced live on air in 2022.
- Despite frequent online queries, Kirkwood has no children and has spoken openly about being happy with that decision.
- She is a published author of five romance novels, with a sixth due in October 2026, and has described her writing as “escapist fiction.”
- Her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, partnered with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, remains a highlight of her television career – she reached week seven or eight before elimination.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carol Anne Kirkwood (née MacKellaig) |
| Date of Birth | 29 May 1962 |
| Age (2026) | 63 (turning 64 in May 2026) |
| Birthplace | Morar, Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands |
| Occupation | Weather presenter, author |
| Years Active (BBC) | 1998–2026 |
| Spouse | Steve Randall (m. 27 December 2023) |
| Children | None |
| Notable Shows | BBC Breakfast, Strictly Come Dancing, The One Show |
| Books Published | 5 (sixth due October 2026) |
Is Carol Kirkwood Married? Her Husband and Wedding
Carol Kirkwood married Steve Randall, a serving police officer, on 27 December 2023. The ceremony took place at Cliveden, a stately home in Buckinghamshire, and was a small, private affair. Kirkwood had announced her engagement live on BBC Breakfast in May 2022, surprising viewers and co-presenters alike.
Who is Steve Randall?
Steve Randall works as a policeman. The couple live together in Bray, Berkshire. Kirkwood has described him as a steadying influence and often speaks about their shared love of walking. Before her marriage to Randall, she was married to entrepreneur Jimmy Kirkwood, whom she divorced in 2008 after nearly 20 years. That earlier marriage led her to leave the BBC temporarily.
How did they meet?
Details of their first meeting have not been publicly detailed by Kirkwood. What is known is that the relationship developed slowly and privately, with the engagement only revealed when she showed her ring on television. The marriage, at age 61, was widely covered as a positive example of finding love later in life.
In May 2022, Carol Kirkwood announced her engagement to Steve Randall during a live segment of BBC Breakfast. She later said she wanted to share the news with viewers who had supported her for years. The moment was unscripted and caught her co-presenters off guard.
Does Carol Kirkwood Have Children?
Carol Kirkwood has stated publicly that she does not have children, and she has expressed contentment with that choice. In a 2025 interview with Saga magazine, she said she was “very happy” without offspring. The question persists online, likely because she is one of eight children – a large family background that sometimes leads to confusion.
Who is Jimmy Kirkwood?
Jimmy Kirkwood is Carol Kirkwood’s former husband, a Scottish entrepreneur. They were married for nearly 20 years before divorcing in 2008. He is not a relative but is sometimes mistaken for a sibling due to the shared surname. No public information suggests he is involved in her current life.
How Old is Carol Kirkwood? Age and Early Life
Carol Anne MacKellaig was born on 29 May 1962 in Morar, a small village in the Scottish Highlands. She was one of eight children raised in a hotel run by her parents. After attending school locally, she earned a BA in Commerce from Napier University in Edinburgh.
Early Career
Kirkwood began her BBC journey not as a presenter but as a secretary in 1984. She later moved into presenting, joining the Weather Channel in 1996, and officially became a BBC Weather presenter in April 1998. Her breakthrough role as the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast came in 2010, a position she held until her retirement.
Despite her long career in London and the South East, Kirkwood has never lost her distinctive Scottish accent – often described as a “Highland lilt” – which became one of her trademarks on air.
What is Carol Kirkwood’s Latest News? Retirement and Announcements
After months of speculation, Carol Kirkwood confirmed her retirement from the BBC in January 2026. Her final broadcast aired in April 2026, during which she said she would miss her colleagues most and joked about being glad to end the “early wake-up call.” She now plans to focus on her writing and spend more time with her husband.
- 1962 – Born Carol Anne MacKellaig in Morar, Scottish Highlands.
- 1998 – Joins BBC Weather as a presenter, having previously worked at the Weather Channel.
- 2010 – Becomes the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast, a role she holds for 16 years.
- 2015 – Competes on Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Pasha Kovalev – Strictly career, net worth and family; they are eliminated in week seven or eight.
- 2020 – Hit by a car while cycling in Berkshire, leaving her permanently scarred.
- 2022 – Announces engagement to Steve Randall live on BBC Breakfast.
- 2023 – Marries Steve Randall on 27 December at Cliveden.
- 2026 (January) – Confirms retirement on BBC Breakfast.
- 2026 (April) – Final broadcast; leaves BBC after 28 years.
- 2026 (October) – Sixth romance novel scheduled for publication.
Does Carol Kirkwood Have a Daughter? What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Carol Kirkwood has stated she has no children and is happy without them. | Whether she ever wanted children is a private matter she has not detailed. |
| She retired from the BBC in April 2026 after a 28-year career. | Exact details of her post-retirement media appearances are still emerging. |
| She was married to Jimmy Kirkwood (divorced 2008) and later to Steve Randall (2023). | No public explanation exists for why some online searches refer to a “Carol Kirkwood daughter” – it may stem from confusion with other celebrities. |
| She was hit by a car in 2020 and sustained permanent scarring. | The full extent of her recovery and any ongoing health effects have not been disclosed. |
What Context Surrounds Carol Kirkwood’s Career and Personal Life?
Carol Kirkwood’s 27-year tenure at the BBC (she joined in 1998) placed her among the most stable and reassuring figures on British morning television. Her warm, unflappable delivery made her a favourite with audiences, and she won the TRIC Award for Best TV Weather Presenter seven to nine times, depending on the source. She reported live from Wimbledon, Ascot, the Chelsea Flower Show, and major royal events, often blending weather with lifestyle reporting.
Her personal life also challenged stereotypes. Kirkwood married for the second time at age 61, a move that attracted positive coverage and was seen as a statement that major life changes can happen at any stage. Her decision to leave the BBC to focus on writing and travel reinforces that narrative of intentional, unhurried living.
Post-retirement, she remains active as a novelist. Her books – including Under a Greek Moon (2021), The Hotel on the Riviera, and Secrets of the Villa Amore – have sold well, and she has signed a deal for at least two more novels after the one due in October 2026. She continues to post on social media, maintaining a connection with her audience.
What Have People Said About Carol Kirkwood?
“I never thought I’d get married at 59, but it’s the best thing I ever did.”
— Carol Kirkwood, Saga Magazine, July 2025
“I have no children, and I’m very happy with that.”
— Carol Kirkwood, Saga Magazine, July 2025 (paraphrased in multiple sources)
“Carol Kirkwood is one of the BBC’s most experienced and beloved weather presenters.”
— BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile
These quotes capture the two themes that define her public image: a contented personal life and a respected professional career. The BBC, in its official tribute on her departure, described her as having a “sunny disposition” and a “Highland lilt.”
Carol Kirkwood: A Life in Television and Beyond
Carol Kirkwood leaves behind a legacy as one of the BBC’s longest-serving and most cherished weather presenters. From her beginnings in a hotel in the Highlands to becoming a household name on BBC Breakfast, she built a career on reliability, warmth, and quiet professionalism. Her retirement in 2026 marks a new chapter focused on writing and family, but her influence on British broadcasting endures. For readers interested in other Strictly Come Dancing connections, the story of Amy Dowden – Biography, cancer journey and Strictly Come Dancing offers a contrasting but equally compelling narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carol Kirkwood’s real name?
Carol Anne Kirkwood, née MacKellaig.
Where is Carol Kirkwood from?
She was born in Morar, Inverness-shire, in the Scottish Highlands.
How many books has Carol Kirkwood written?
She has published five romance novels; a sixth is due in October 2026, with at least two more planned.
Did Carol Kirkwood win Strictly Come Dancing?
No. Competing in 2015 with Pasha Kovalev, she was eliminated in week seven or eight.
What is Carol Kirkwood’s net worth?
Not publicly disclosed. As a long-time BBC presenter and bestselling author, she is believed to be financially comfortable, but no verified figure exists.
Is Carol Kirkwood on Instagram?
Yes, her handle is @realcarolkirkwood.
What is Carol Kirkwood doing now?
After retiring from the BBC in April 2026, she is focusing on writing her sixth novel and spending time with her husband Steve Randall.
Thomas Ellery is Business & Economy Correspondent at NewsPrism.co.uk, reporting on UK companies, markets, employment and household finances.