BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood drops retirement bombshell

Carol Kirkwood has become a firm favourite ever since she joined the BBC as a weather presenter. The Scottish TV icon is also a published author with several books, releasing her debut novel in 2021. Her latest page-turner is Meet Me at Sunset, an escapist romance novel. However, in her latest interview with Saga Magazine, she revealed that she fell in love with Majorca and has hinted at the possibility of retirement plans. The inspiration behind her captivating new read is down to her research on the Spanish island. She told the magazine: "Steve and I 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 also plan to escape and travel for some time when we retire, perhaps in a year or two. We'll either travel in a camper van, or get in the car, cross over to France and just drive."

She also spoke about how she met her husband, saying: "Meeting my husband Steve was fate. 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."

The esteemed weather reporter was previously married to Northern Irish professional cricketer Jimmy Kirkwood. The pair tied the knot in 1990, the same year she embarked on her BBC career.

However, in 2008, the couple announced their separation. She remained silent about her split until the age of 61, and opened up on Kaye Adams' How To Be 60 podcast.

Carol confessed that her marriage breakdown was the "hardest year", admitting: "Probably the year I got divorced. I didn't expect that to happen, and it was shocking. It was pretty devastating at the time, but it led to better things after that."

She continued: "I think that was probably the hardest year, that or when my dad died."

Luckily, the presenter found love again in a heartwarming turn of events. Carol was introduced to her now-husband Steve at an event she attended with Steph McGovern - and the rest is history.