
Carol Kirkwood, 63, confesses there is 'no such thing as a perfect romance' after revealing her plans to retire and travel Europe with her husband Steve Randall, 49
The BBC weather veteran, 63, married police officer Steve, 49, in December 2023 - nine years after her divorce from property developer Jimmy Kirkwood.
And now she has admitted that she thinks there is no such thing as the 'perfect romance' as she opened up about her divorce to the Daily Mirror.
She told the publication: 'I feel sad when relationships break down. I was married before, and we got divorced, and it's always sad when that happens.
'But, of course, there isn't such a thing, I don't think, as the perfect romance - where you're never going to fall out or have cross words. Of course you are, that's life.'
Carol and Steve - who have a 13-year age gap - got hitched in an 'intimate' wedding ceremony in Buckinghamshire in December 2023.
Her comment comes after she revealed she hopes to retire in as little as two years so she can drive off into the sunset with her policeman husband.
The TV star has been a fixture at the BBC for 27 years but has said she is planning a change of scene for her and Steve when she turns 65.
Discussing her retirement hopes, Carol, who is also a published author, said: 'We fell in love with Majorca, which is where we went so I could research my fifth novel, Meet Me at Sunset, about a woman running away from a shattered love affair.
'Steve and I plan to escape and travel for some time when we retire, perhaps in a year or two.
'We'll travel in a camper van or get in the car, cross over to France and then just drive.'
Carol, from Morar, Lochaber, was married to property developer Jimmy but the pair split in 2008 after 18 years of marriage, with the divorce finalised in 2012.
She recently made a cheeky comment when asked about her second marriage, telling one newspaper: 'Love is lovelier the second time around. No disrespect to my first husband, but this is better.'
Carol, who was on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, began her career at the BBC as a secretary before cross training with the Met Office and joining BBC News in 1998.
She appears regularly across all of BBC Weather's output on both radio and TV and is the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast.
The TV star also spoke about the age gap in her relationship, stating it makes no difference to her.
She told Saga Magazine: 'Steve is 50 this year. Other people's opinions about an age gap don't matter - I don't feel he is younger than me.'
She also said she believes that meeting him was fate.
She said: 'We were at a function neither of us wanted to go to. It was a Sliding Doors moment - if I hadn't gone, we would never have met.'
Discussing her relationship in another interview, she said: 'Love is lovelier the second time around.
'The wedding was the most perfect day. Storm Gerrit was raging outside and we didn't even notice.
'It was about us getting married rather than having a big, fancy wedding. We had no guests and wrote our own vows.
'When you are older, you know more what you want.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Rhyl Journal
30 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Keep it Rhyl: Celebrities back £20 million regeneration plan
TV stars and well-known personalities are supporting Keep it Rhyl, an ambitious scheme to revive the town through a £20 million regeneration plan over the next decade. The campaign calls on residents to support local businesses, charities, and community groups as part of the wider vision. Kimberly Hart-Simpson, a Rhyl-born actress known for Coronation Street and Celebrity Hunted, is among several celebrities who have shared messages of support on social media. Sian Lloyd (Image: Supplied f) Others include ITV journalist Carole Green, BBC presenter Sian Lloyd, and Spencer 'Big Spen' Wilding, an actor whose credits include Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter. The campaign is led by the Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, a group of residents, entrepreneurs, councillors, and grassroots leaders. Craig Sparrow, chair of the board, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of our town and we want everyone to be part of it. "We're calling on residents of all ages, businesses, schools, community groups, and individuals with a love for Rhyl to get involved. "Share your voice, your story, your ideas — no matter how big or small. "Film a short message, post your favourite memory, suggest something bold, or simply tell us what Rhyl means to you." Actor Spencer Wilding urged the board to focus on young people and celebrate the town's strengths. Spencer 'Big Spen' Wilding (Image: Supplied) Mr Wilding said: "I have lived in the area all my life and feel it's important we get behind the regeneration programme, celebrate the best of Rhyl and do it for the next generation – let's shine a light on Rhyl, even stronger than ever." Mr Sparrow said the campaign is about more than infrastructure and investment. He added: "This campaign is about more than buildings and investment, it's about pride, connection, and community. "It's about celebrating our past while building a future we can all be proud of. "Every voice counts. Every message matters. "Together, we can 'Keep it Rhyl' and make sure this £20 million regeneration strategy truly reflects the hopes and dreams of the people who live and work here." The £20 million investment comes from the UK Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. The Rhyl Neighbourhood Board will develop a 10-year vision and an initial investment plan to identify and prioritise projects. READ MORE: Abergele: Housing company to pay more than £11,000 following flat issues Prestatyn social club set to cease trading with site on the market The Plan for Neighbourhoods aims to revitalise communities and address deprivation by focusing on three priorities: thriving places, stronger communities, and giving people more control over their local areas. For more information on Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl visit (Welsh). Or (English) and follow @einrhyl and @ourrhyl on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.


BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Why Mariah Carey is such a big deal for Brighton
Summer 2025 has seen an Oasis homecoming in Manchester, Black Sabbath's farewell concert in Birmingham and now international superstar Mariah Carey set to perform in Brighton. The five-times Grammy winner, who has sold more than 220 million albums worldwide, performs in Preston Park in the city on Saturday night as the headline act at Brighton & Hove a private jet on Wednesday, Carey posted on TikTok: "Nothing beats going to Brighton Pride."But what has brought the All I Want for Christmas is You singer to Brighton and what boost could she give the city? The simple answer is that Mariah Carey is fulfilling a promise made to fans and Pride's organisers in 2020. She had been booked to headline that year, but Covid-19 kicked in and the event was cancelled, leaving many "gutted".Five years on she's finally coming to the East Sussex seaside city, promoting her forthcoming 16th studio album Here For It All. Brighton is one of only a handful of venues worldwide where Carey has announced concerts in Pride is one of the largest events of its kind in Europe. Paul Kemp, Brighton & Hove Pride managing director, told BBC Radio Sussex: "Mariah is on her way and is really excited. "This really puts our city on the map."Brighton and Hove as an events city really punches above its weight." Mr Kemp went on to tease fans: "I've heard there might be a surprise - a legendary moment."But I can't say any more."She is still relevant, she's still a diva and I just can't wait." Carey joins the ranks of divas who have played at Brighton Pride in recent years in front of tens of thousands of fans, including Britney Spears and Kylie. The 56-year-old has been a long-standing supporter of the LGBT+ community and played Los Angeles Pride in her career began in the late 1980s, she has had three UK number one singles and two UK number one albums. Birgit Miller, the councillor responsible for tourism at Brighton & Hove City Council, said Carey's appearance was a "big deal".She said: "Pride is a huge event for the city and brings in a benefit of around £30m to Brighton's economy. "That is really important for our hospitality and tourism."I am so looking forward to Mariah."


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Isla Fisher opens up about her 'tough' divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen: 'I'm trying to remind myself of my new identity'
Isla Fisher has spoken out about the 'tough' end of her decade-long marriage to Sacha Baron Cohen. The Aussie actress, 49, and Borat creator, 53, who share three children, split at the end of 2023 after 14 years of marriage. The Wedding Crashers star has now told Harper's Bazaar she suffered through 'a tough couple of years' amid their divorce, but is excited for what's to come. 'I've had a tough couple of years, but I'm making it through. I'm really excited for the next chapter,' she told the publication. 'I'm refocusing on my career, because previously I was very much focused on my kids, which I still am... [They're] my true love. But I'm enjoying tackling work again.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Isla added that, aside from refocusing on her career, she was also re-establishing her identity outside of her marriage to Sacha. 'I'm trying to remind myself of my new identity as somebody outside of a partnership and to stay as buoyant as possible,' she said. It was a similar sentiment the former Home and Away star shared with Stellar in March. 'I definitely am trying to focus more on myself professionally, something that was always on the back burner,' she continued. 'I always put motherhood first but everyone's a lot older now. 'Obviously my kids are always going to come first—every parent feels that way—but it is nice to go back to work and feel of value or be able to contribute at least to the arts in a way that's meaningful to me.' Isla certainly hasn't been resting on her laurels, having recently starred in the likes of the supernatural Stan series Wolf Like Me and such big-screen fare as Dog Man, and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. She also has five projects in post-production, according to IMDB, including the third instalment of the magic-tinged heist franchise Now You See Me, and Spa Weekend, which is currently in production on the Gold Coast. Isla and Sacha revealed in a joint statement in April 2024 they had 'quietly separated' the year before. 'After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down,' they told fans. Discussing the split with the Sunday Times, Isla said: 'It's the most difficult thing that I've been through and I've learnt so much about myself in the process. 'I never imagined my family being separated but we are committed and loving parents.' Isla explained her own parents separated when she was nine-years-old and admitted their peaceful arrangement was what she now strives for.