HIDDEN HEARTBREAK: Carol Kirkwood’s Off-Screen Pain Revealed As She Quits BBC Breakfast

BBC Breakfast star Carol Kirkwood has opened up about her heartbreaking struggle.

Carol Kirkwood has quit BBC Breakfast (Image: GETTY)

BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood has candidly discussed her heart-wrenching struggle to become a mother. The weather presenter, who announced she would be quitting her role on BBC Breakfast today, previously opened up about her personal situation in a frank interview.

Carol, originating from a family of eight siblings, doesn’t have any children despite her lifelong desire to be a mother. She confessed that she “tried everything” in her attempts to conceive, but unfortunately, it “just never happened.” The BBC star disclosed that medical experts never gave her an explanation for her inability to fall pregnant. However, she chose to focus on the positive aspects of her life, reports Wales Online. In a conversation with Candis Magazine, Carol expressed that she “would have loved” to start a family. She elaborated: “Nor did the doctors ever tell us why.” Despite this, the presenter didn’t let it dampen her spirits and pointed out a silver lining.

Carol Kirkwood is best known for her role on BBC Breakfast (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

She reflected: “Well, just look at the life I’ve had. I couldn’t have achieved half of it if I’d had children at home.”

During a 2022 chat with Yours Magazine, Carol echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that her impressive professional achievements – “none of that would have been possible” if she had been raising children at home.

Carol began her media career at BBC Scotland before transitioning to radio. She wed property entrepreneur Jimmy Kirkwood and temporarily left the BBC to work in recruitment.

She rejoined the broadcaster more than three decades ago as a freelance contributor in 1993. She subsequently became a familiar face on The One Show and BBC Breakfast as a weather presenter.

Unfortunately, Carol and Jimmy’s marriage ended in 2008 after 18 years together. She later married her second husband, police constable Steve Randall in 2021. She has candidly discussed the challenge of maintaining her cheerful on-screen persona whilst navigating personal difficulties.

Speaking to Yours Magazine, she revealed: “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 makeup before stepping in front of the cameras again.”

She described how this approach aided her recovery, explaining she placed her “grief into a compartment.” Carol said this was something she kept completely separate from her professional life, as otherwise she would have become a “puddle of tears.”

Nevertheless, Carol has discovered happiness with her new husband, Steve. She told PA that her partner was “very romantic and very generous” and a “lovely man.”

In a conversation with The Times, she revealed: “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.”

On Tuesday morning, she announced her exit from the BBC after 28 years. Carol made the announcement during the live show, sharing the news with Sally Nugent and Jon Kay.

She said that she had “loved every minute” of her time at the the corporation. In a statement, she added: “This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but it feels like the right moment to step away. I’ll carry with me the most wonderful memories.

“My job is something I’ve never taken for granted and I’ve loved every minute. From early starts and all manner of forecasts, I’ve shared it with incredible colleagues at BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and programmes across the BBC. I’d like to thank them for their support and friendship which has meant the world.”