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Carol, hailing from Morar in Inverness-shire, grew up in a bustling household as one of eight siblings. She pursued her academic ambitions at Edinburgh University, where she obtained a BA in commerce. Her initial foray into the professional world began with the BBC, a role she left shortly after marrying cricketer Jimmy.
Following her first experience at the BBC, Carol embarked on a career in the recruitment sector and worked as a training consultant in Cheshire. Her journey came full circle when she returned to the BBC in 1993, marking the beginning of a notable chapter in her career.
While many fans are familiar with her current persona, few may realize that Carol originally sported brunette locks. She delighted viewers with a nostalgic glimpse of her past on BBC Breakfast, sharing a cherished throwback photo.
Despite the compliments from her co-hosts that she “hadn’t aged a day,” Carol shared her perspective on aging in a 2024 interview with Prima. She expressed a refreshing sense of freedom, saying she feels “no pressure whatsoever” regarding her appearance.
Reflecting on her experience, Carol remarked, “I’ve just entered my 60s, but the positive aspect is that you care less about what people think. You still hear opinions, but you don’t internalize them as much as you do when you’re younger.”
(Image: BBC)
It’s easy to mistake this snap for a noughties girl group – but, taken in 2001, it’s actually a line-up of the BBC’s most glamorous weathergirls for that year.
Joining Carol in the fabulous photo are Helen Willetts, Penny Tranter, Sarah Wilmshurst and Isobel Lang.
(Image: BBC / Tim Merry)
Carol has been open about ageing – but feared she would be replaced by “younger girls” over her decades-long career.
She told Radio Times: “I would never give up the weather on Breakfast. Look, I know there are thousands of younger girls who will kill for my job. And I know the clock is ticking down for me.”
She added it would be “like losing a limb” when the day comes when she can “no longer” present the forecast, but said: “Until then it’s a case of, ‘Make hay while the sun shines.’”
(Image: BBC)