The beloved BBC Breakfast weather presenter **Carol Kirkwood** has long been a comforting presence on British television screens, delivering forecasts with her signature warmth, wit, and unflappable charm. For nearly three decades, viewers have watched her bright smile light up early mornings, turning even the gloomiest weather reports into something approachable and uplifting. But behind the polished professionalism and cheerful demeanor lies a deeply personal story that Carol has rarely shared in full—until now.

In recent interviews from 2025, including a candid conversation with OK! magazine and reflections in other outlets, the 63-year-old Scottish star has begun opening up about one of the most poignant chapters of her life: her lifelong dream of motherhood, a dream that, despite every effort, never came to fruition. “I always wanted to have children. That was my dream,” she revealed. “It was a source of heartbreak, but we tried and failed.”

Born Carol MacKellaig on May 29, 1962, in the picturesque village of Morar, Inverness-shire, Carol grew up as one of eight children in a bustling family where her parents ran hotels. Surrounded by siblings, the idea of building her own family felt natural and inevitable. She carried that aspiration into adulthood, marrying her first husband, businessman and former cricketer Jimmy Kirkwood, in 1990. The couple shared nearly two decades together, during which they actively pursued starting a family.

Carol has described how they “tried everything,” including exploring fertility treatments, yet nothing worked. Doctors, she noted in one poignant admission, “never told us why” it didn’t happen—leaving the couple without clear answers amid the emotional pain. The unexplained nature of the struggle only deepened the sense of loss. “It just never happened,” she has said simply, reflecting on years of hope, disappointment, and quiet grief.

During those years, Carol built an extraordinary career. After studying commerce at Napier University in Edinburgh, she trained with the Met Office and joined the BBC, eventually becoming a staple on BBC Breakfast. Her role demanded early starts, poise under live pressure, and an ability to connect with millions. But the personal toll was hidden from view. In moments of heartbreak, she maintained her on-screen brightness, only to step off camera and, as she later shared in relation to other challenges, sometimes shed tears in private—perhaps in the quiet of the ladies’ room after a broadcast.

The dream of motherhood wasn’t just about having children; it represented a vision of life filled with the chaos and joy she knew from her own large family. Instead, Carol channeled her nurturing energy elsewhere—into her work, her fans, and later, her creative pursuits as a bestselling author of romance novels like *Meet Me at Sunset*. She has spoken gratefully about the path her life took, noting that without children at home, she achieved things she might not have otherwise. “Just look at the life I’ve had,” she reflected. “I couldn’t have achieved half of it if I’d had children.”

The heartache, though, lingered. Carol has called it a “source of heartbreak” and acknowledged the emotional weight of making peace with a future different from the one she once envisioned. Fans have responded with an outpouring of support, many sharing their own stories and praising her for her honesty. Social media posts and comments have described her revelations as “raw” and “deeply human,” reminding viewers that even the most composed public figures carry private sorrows.

Life, however, has brought new chapters. After her divorce from Jimmy in 2008— a split she has described as sad but part of life’s changes—Carol found love again later in life. She met police officer Steve Randall at a work event around 2017 (or earlier in some accounts), and their friendship gradually blossomed into romance. The 14-year age gap (Steve is 49) drew some attention, but Carol has addressed it lightheartedly, emphasizing his kindness, cooking skills, and tidiness.

They became engaged in 2022 during a live appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show and married in an intimate ceremony in Buckinghamshire over Christmas 2023. It was a joyful milestone, though their busy schedules mean they often spend only about 90 minutes a day together—a reality Carol accepts with good humor. “He’s a keeper,” she has said warmly.

In 2025, Carol also navigated health challenges, including a severe bout of food poisoning early in the year that led to weight loss and a renewed outlook on life. She dropped dress sizes, rediscovered old wardrobe favorites, and spoke about feeling revitalized. These experiences, combined with her reflections on motherhood, seem to mark a period of quiet embrace—of the life she has built, the love she has found, and the resilience that has carried her through.

Carol has not yet revealed every detail of her story, and she may choose to keep some doors gently closed. But what she has shared offers a fuller picture of the woman behind the weather maps: someone who has faced profound disappointment yet chosen gratitude, who has balanced public warmth with private healing, and who continues to inspire with her grace.

As she approaches new horizons—perhaps more novels, continued broadcasting, or simply savoring time with Steve—Carol Kirkwood’s willingness to speak about this long-held chapter feels like an act of quiet courage. It reminds us that even those who brighten our mornings have weathered their own storms. And in opening that door, even just a little, she allows fans to see not just the presenter, but the person—flawed, feeling, and profoundly relatable.