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Carol Kirkwood has been presenting the weather on BBC Breakfast for almost 20 years
Carol Kirkwood is in full flow.
“Yesterday was 28.2 degrees in Holbeach in Lincolnshire, making it the warmest August day so far this year in the UK,” she says, barely pausing for breath before adding, “It was 17 celsius in Balmoral and this morning it was only six. Then we have tropical storm Harvey in Houston.”
The 55 year old has an impressively encyclopaedic knowledge of the weather but she isn’t just showing off.
She’s explaining the TV blooper in which she forgot BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin’s name when handing back to the sofa after her segment that morning.
“They were really mean to me,” she jokes.
“When we present the weather we don’t use autocue or anything and today was particularly busy so I was having to reel off lots of facts and then it was ‘back to Dan and… Louise.’ I just stumbled slightly but they don’t let me get away with anything.”
It is all such fun but each year has been as horrific as the next because I can neither sing nor dance
Carol has been presenting the weather on BBC Breakfast for almost 20 years but that doesn’t mean she is suffering from itchy feet.
“I am really happy doing what I do,” she says.
“I have my full-time job on Breakfast, which I love. Then I also present items on The One Show and I’m a regular guest on James Martin’s shows and get opportunities to do fun things like Strictly Come Dancing every so often.
“It means I get to dabble but still come back to my comfort zone and the weather, which is wonderful.
“I don’t really have any unfulfilled ambitions. I’m no spring chicken after all.”
Not even the thought of a lie-in could tempt Carol to give up the role, although she admits getting up early doesn’t come naturally to her.
It is all such fun but each year has been as horrific as the next because I can neither sing nor dance
“I’m an evening person so it is against my body clock completely,” she says. “I love staying up late but I have to go to bed at 9pm during the week. I get up in the morning and think, ‘Rats, why did I not decide what I was going to wear last night?’ and when I arrive at work the make-up ladies always gasp and you can see them looking at their watches, thinking, ‘Yikes, we’ve only got 45 minutes.’
“It’s worth it, though, because I adore what I do. It’s good fun, I get to go to lots of different places and work with my friends on a daily basis. It’s the best job in the world.”
Born in Morar, a small village on Scotland’s west coast, Carol was one of eight children. “We try and get together once a year but it’s not always possible.”
Of her position in the family line up she says, “I was third from the bottom. It gave me a good sense of humour I think – and you stand up for yourself a wee bit more.”
This has stood her in good stead for a career in the media and despite her smiley on-screen persona, a steely resolve is clear to see when interviewing her. She is resolute when it comes to which topics she will and will not open up about.
Nine years ago she divorced her husband of 25 years and although in March 2016 she revealed she was no longer single, when we meet she is tight-lipped about any new partner, shutting down questions about her private life with a quick, “Not going there.”
There is, though, one male in her life about whom she will happily chat – her much-loved cat, Donald.
“He’s my prince, he’s my pride and joy. That cat’s so pampered,” she says.
“I’ve had him since he was six weeks old and he’s going to be 17 in December. Hopefully, he’s got a lot more years in him yet. He’s very fit.”
Today she is busy raising awareness of a charity close to her heart. “I’ve been involved in Children in Need in some way, shape or form for about 18 years now,” she says.
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BBC’s Children In Need returns on November 17
“It is all such fun but each year has been as horrific as the next because I can neither sing nor dance,” she confesses as she remembers the many sketches she has taken part in.
“Performing It’s Raining Men with the other weather presenters was probably my favourite and then last year’s Rocky Horror Show was hilarious,” she recalls. “
Jeremy Vine was playing Frank-N-Furter and I remember a button on my French maid’s outfit caught in his fishnets, so when I stood up it just ripped right up his stockings.”
There is more to the BBC charity event than celebrities making themselves look foolish, however, and recently Carol spent the day with Edinburgh Young Carers Project, which was set up with money raised by the appeal.
“You sit and watch the entertainment and then you are shown films of people who have benefited from the charity, which are really inspiring, but going out to see the work Children in Need has enabled first hand was something else,” Carol says.
“That’s when it has its full impact and you realise this is powerful stuff.
“The Edinburgh Young Carers Project takes these youngsters away to Fort William and gives them a chance to get their childhood back. They horse ride and climb rocks and have fun so they can forget about what they are usually doing for a time.
The project helps them feel more confident about themselves and reduces isolation as they get to socialise with other children in the same situation.
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Carol has been involved with BBC’s Children In Need for around 18 years
“Just hearing how their lives have been impacted and what a difference the project makes to them was a privilege and it makes you look at your own life and think, ‘What have I got to complain about?’ and it’s great to see the good that television can do.”
This year Carol is supporting the Do Your Thing campaign in which the public is encouraged to employ passions, hobbies, fears and dreams to raise money for BBC Children in Need.
“I got my Pudsey ears on for a photoshoot but if I were to do something else my challenge would probably be a sponsored silence. I think everybody would be happy if I did that,” she laughs.
So what is she encouraging her friends to try? “I’d like to see people challenging themselves to a digital detox,” she says.
“Everyone is always on their phone. When you go out for the evening someone always has their mobile on the table beside them and I think, ‘Put it away, we’re only out for a couple of hours. Just let your hair down and enjoy yourself and have a nice evening and chat.’
It would probably be a really hard challenge for some people, particularly the younger you are.”
However, her dislike of the apparent desire to be constantly online doesn’t mean Carol considers herself over the hill.
“I’m not feeling my age – it’s just a number and one I’m quite happy with,” she says.
“I don’t have any hang-ups about it, I’m just happy being here. It’s better than the alternative, isn’t it?”
This year Carol is supporting the BBC Children in Need Do Your Thing campaign.
The Children in Need Appeal Show 2017 will be broadcast on November 17. See bbc.co.uk/pudsey