Carol Kirkwood has been a weather forecaster on ‘BBC Breakfast’ for 22 years, where she has won more than eight awards and an honorary fellowship for her efforts. But in 2015, the TV star broke away from her normal role in front of the green screen to join a line-up of celebrities on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. While she appeared to be natural on the dancefloor, the presenter revealed a number of body image fears before her show debut.
Prior to appearing on the popular BBC programme, Carol felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty because the 59-year-old ultiamtely feared she may end up being a laughing stock before the nation.
Aside from her nerves and concerns about how she looked, the Scottish star thought the contest would be fun and she would relish the outlandish costumes.
The then-53-year-old told The Sunday Post at the time: “I’m really looking forward to the spray tan, the big hair pieces and the make-up bring it on.
“They can pile on those sequins so I won’t be able to walk with the weight of the outfits. It’s all so girly and I love it.”
But in a breakaway from her happy and confident displays on the BBC, she revealed she was plagued with concerns about her appearance.
As luck would have it, one of the two “hunky” men she wanted to be her show partner when she was selected for her – Pasha Kovalev.
Prior to the announcement, she said: “I really like Aljaz and Pasha… I just hope that I get somebody patient. And somebody who’s strong so I don’t flatten them when they lift me up.”
Carol and Pasha were eliminated from the competition in week seven, meaning they in 10th place.
Former boy band star Jay McGuinness, from ‘The Wanted’ won the competition that year alongside Aliona Vilani.