Carol Kirkwood, 56, is hailed as the nation’s sweetheart by some, yet she is not exempt from criticism, nor is she immune to Twitter trolls.
In fact, the presenter feels she is judged on her appearance more than her male counterparts.
“Our clothes are looked at much more,” she remarked, as she spoke out about being targeted by online bullies.
Discussing the things people say about her, she began: “If it’s ‘My accent’s too strong,’ get over it.
“But if it’s ‘You’re too fat’ or ‘Why do you wear these dresses?’ or ‘You should retire’ – personal stuff, I think, ‘Well, that’s your opinion’.”
Despite her resilience, she admitted “some of it gets to you” and told The Herald in 2014 some comments could not be repeated.
She explained: “They’re being personal, but they don’t actually know you, so you let it go.”
Complaining about people commenting on her dress sense, Carol admitted she does not have a personal stylist.
She is on a “civil service salary” and says managing her wardrobe, which she buys herself, is a nightmare.
She said: “When someone says, ‘I’ve seen that dress seven times in the last month, stop wearing it,’ you think, ‘You wouldn’t say that to somebody in the office’. But you take it on the chin.”
Of getting older, the meteorologist shared: “I won’t be getting rid of my laughter lines. What’s wrong with getting old? We all do.
“I’ve had three close friends who have died from breast cancer and it makes you think, ‘Why am I worried about a few lines?’”
She added: “It’s terribly sad there’s such a youth culture these days. People expect you to look young. Why? There’s beauty in every age.”
Carol’s army of loyal followers would certainly agree with her last statement, as they went wild over a picture of her posted by her co-star Dan Walker, 41.
Sharing a picture of the reporter on Instagram, Dan gushed: “There are some people who brighten every room.
“Carol Kirkwood is normally in the weather studio in London, but today she was in the BBC Breakfast studio in Salford.
“She put a smile on everyone’s face (she did bring chocolate). Carol is a joy-spreader and we love her.”
In the black and white snap, Carol is seen beaming, while her luscious blonde locks fall to her shoulders in tousled waves.
Commenting on the photograph, one person wrote: “She literally is like a ray of sunshine even when she’s telling us we’ll be getting awful weather she still seems to sugar coat it for us bless her. Love you Carol.”
Another added: “Love Carol she’s just always so bright and cheerful a beautiful lady inside and out.”
A third fan said: “She’s a beautiful soul. She is a joy to listen to.” While a fourth penned: “Beautiful picture of Carol.”