Carol Kirkwood has revealed the devastating loss that prompted her retirement from BBC Breakfast, saying she and her husband Steve Randall lost many family and friends. The former meteorologist, who announced her retirement in April after 28 years at the broadcaster, spoke candidly about her decision in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
Kirkwood, best known for her regular BBC forecasts and annual weather updates at Wimbledon, stepped down from BBC Breakfast earlier this year. Her sixth novel, A Christmas Invitation, was released last week, and she is already preparing her seventh book.
Retirement prompted by loss of family and friends
Speaking about the real reason behind her retirement, Kirkwood confessed: "The reason we retired was because we lost a lot of family and friends. And we wanted, you know, to do what we want to do. I'm in my 60s now, so what am I waiting for?"
She added: "It's given us freedom to do the things we want to do. We're living to our timetable, our schedule, not somebody else's. As much as I love my job - but now you don't have to do something if you don't want to."
The 64-year-old, who married Steve Randall, a retired police officer, in December 2023, said the timing felt right for both of them. "I think everything has its time. And for me to leave a job that I absolutely loved at the BBC, and I really did love it. It was so varied. It was a big decision to do it. The timing was right. Steve's retired. I've retired now as well, as you know. So it was just perfect."
Dedication to loved ones lost
Kirkwood dedicated her latest novel to "two incredibly strong women… gone too soon". She explained: "Because Jan, my husband's sister, she died last year. And Tracy was a good friend of mine who died this year. So they were too young, too young to go."
The former BBC star admitted she misses her former colleagues but does not miss the early morning wake-up call. She chuckled: "Definitely more sleep. Every night now, I get between seven and eight hours sleep, which when I was working was unheard of because I had to get up at quarter to three in the morning. So the other thing that I benefit from is having an evening."
New novel set in the Cotswolds
Kirkwood's latest novel is set during the Christmas period and is full of glitz, glamour, and secrets, taking place inside a Cotswolds mansion. Readers meet captivating TV celebrity Fliss Courtney, a Brit at the top of her game in New York, whose Friday night show oozes festive feels, as she rubs shoulders with A-list pals Ariana Grande and Bradley Cooper, who perform a duet of Santa Baby.
Her world is turned upside down as she quits the Big Apple and escapes to the Cotswolds after a shocking revelation. The TV personality, who is inspired by Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper, hopes readers will enjoy the escapism her latest novel brings to book lovers.
"I hope they'll enjoy it," Kirkwood said. "I hope they'll find it intriguing. It's escapism as well. It takes you into a glamorous world of actors and television presenters, and people who have everything on the surface, but not necessarily underneath. So it's pure, unadulterated pleasure, I would say."
Kirkwood, who is already working on her seventh book, said: "Unbelievable. I honestly can't believe it. It is such a joy to do, and I can't believe this is the sixth one. And in actual fact, I'm already working on the seventh one. I know what [the seventh book] all about and I've got an idea for the eighth as well. So you just keep them coming."
A Christmas Invitation, by Carol Kirkwood, is published by HarperCollins and is out now.
