Carol Kirkwood opens up on heartbreaking reason behind tears on BBC Breakfast set

The BBC Breakfast weather presenter opened up about a difficult process she endured that left her needing to have a “good cry” when she was off-air

Carol is a published novelist who’s also appeared on The One Show and Strictly (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Carol Kirkwood has shared insights into the heartbreaking reason she had to have a “good cry” on set. In a recent interview, the Scottish weather presenter opened up about the difficult process she had to endure when she divorced property developer Jimmy Kirkwood in 2008 after 18 years of marriage.

Carol, who married her second husband, police officer Steve Randall, in 2021, explained that she had to retain her “sunny” demeanour while on screen, despite everything that was going on in her personal life.

Indeed, it was so much for her that she had to have a “good cry” when she was off-air, but it appears there was a more positive aspect to the experience that ultimately “helped”. Carol, a published novelist who’s also appeared on The One Show and Strictly Come Dancing, said that her professional life kept her “going”, and she was able to put her grief into a “compartment”.

Carol Kirkwood shared insights into the reason why she had to have a “good cry” (Image: Getty Images)

She told Yours magazine: “I still had to be sunny Carol on screen. It was all so shocking to me. I’d come off air, go to the ladies, have a good cry and then reapply my eye make-up before stepping in front of the cameras again.

“In a funny way, though, that helped with the healing process. I put my grief into a compartment, which I kept separate from my work, or I’d have ended up in a puddle of tears. Work kept me going.”

Carol has previously disclosed that she feels like she’s “punching” when it comes to Steve, telling PA that her partner was “very romantic and very generous” and a “lovely man”.

Initially meeting as friends, Carol detailed how it was “nice” getting to know Steve and dubbed him “kind”. While speaking to The Times, she was asked how he felt about moving into her home.

She said: “I offered to sell my home so we could buy a place together, but he’s happy living here. He’s a keeper. He’s a very good cook and tidy as well, tidier than I am.”

Carol married her second husband, police officer Steve Randall, in 2021 (Image: Evening Standard via Getty Images)

In other news, the 63-year-old recently divulged details about a distressing incident involving her being knocked off her bike during the Covid pandemic, resulting in a three-week absence from her BBC Breakfast role.

It resulted in a trip to hospital and a “severe injury” to one of her knees. In addition, Carol admitted that the scary incident left her anxious about cycling on the road.

She told Saga magazine that it not only stopped her cycling but also gave her a “fear of riding on roads.” Carol then went on to describe how she has been out on her bike with her husband, but she doesn’t “tend to cycle any more.”

Carol added: “I’ve been back out on my bike with Steve but when a car overtakes, I get nervous and feel I’m going to fall off. So I don’t tend to cycle any more, which is a shame because I loved it.”

Once the accident occurred, Carol told her X (previously Twitter) followers that she was being treated in a hospital in Slough. She also thanked those who helped her after her accident.