Carol Kirkwood, the beloved former BBC Breakfast weather presenter, retired in April 2025 after 28 years on the programme. Now 64, she says she is happier than ever, embracing life with her second husband, Steve Randall.
Why She Left the BBC
Kirkwood explained her decision to leave the early morning show: "I loved being a weather presenter. I loved my job, and it was my choice to leave, because I love my husband more, and we want to do things together." She described retirement as "living the dream" and noted that she is busier than ever, but loving every moment.
A Second Chance at Love
Kirkwood met Steve Randall, a 51-year-old former police officer, in 2017. Their friendship gradually turned into romance, and he proposed near their home in Bray in 2022. They married in 2023 at Cliveden in a small, intimate ceremony. Kirkwood had previously been married to businessman Jimmy Kirkwood for 25 years until their divorce in 2008. She told The Times: "Love is lovelier the second time around. No disrespect to my first husband, but this is better."
Life in Bray
The couple live in Bray, an upscale village an hour from London. Kirkwood described their home as "a small, quite contemporary detached house near Windsor," calling it a refuge where she can relax and potter in the garden. She admitted that gardening, which she disliked as a child, is now a pleasure.
Kirkwood's greatest joy is her husband: "If he's at home, I'm happy. I don't need anything else. He's tall, handsome, kind, gentle, strong, funny, charming. He's a gentleman."
Travel and Hobbies
Since retiring, Kirkwood and Randall have travelled to Italy and Las Vegas to see The Eagles perform at The Sphere. They plan to visit America again, Australia, and India. Kirkwood is an avid reader of autobiographies, biographies, fiction, and non-fiction. She also collects mugs from her travels and treasures a £3.99 sequin cushion from a charity shop.
Bray: A Millionaire's Village
Bray is a picturesque 16th-century riverside village known for its tranquillity and luxury. According to Rightmove, the average detached home costs around £1 million, while terraced properties average £691,000 and flats £684,000. The village is also a fine dining destination, home to three three-star Michelin restaurants, including Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck (£365 per head) and The Waterside Inn, Kirkwood's favourite.
