Carol Kirkwood: Why I’m Happier with Weather Than Politics, Even with George Clooney Around!

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Carol Kirkwood – a meteorologist, writer, and someone who turned down George Clooney due to his height, expresses that while he possesses many attractive qualities, a taller individual might have been more suitable for her.

One thing I truly enjoy is observing people, and she was particularly captivating: elegantly dressed, slender, donning a stylish suit, with her hair neatly tucked into a French-style bun. She consistently dined on salads and sipped white wine, always sitting up straight and gazing out at the sea each evening. I found myself wondering about her life – her story – and she remained in my thoughts as I wrote this book.

Since ‘Meet Me at Sunset,’ published on July 17, marks Kirkwood’s fifth novel and has previously reached number two on The Sunday Times bestsellers list, one might wonder if the BBC stalwart now identifies as a writer on official forms. However, her response would likely be, ‘No, I still consider myself a TV presenter.’

She doesn’t identify with those who use the #notaweathergirl hashtag to combat perceived sexism in their profession, as she is comfortable with her identity and not concerned about what others think of her, regardless of whether she is labeled a “weather girl,” a “weather presenter,” or a “broadcast meteorologist.

I strive to perform my duties to the best of my capabilities, constantly aiming for self-improvement, regardless of others’ perceptions. Titles aren’t important to me. Unfortunately, due to the nature of my profession, I frequently encounter harsh criticism and receive abusive comments – some are publicly directed at X, while others reach me directly with hurtful words. However, this negativity rolls off my back like water.

She finds a stark difference delightful between her novel writing and television assignments, as one is far removed from the other in terms of creative control and decision-making. Instead of merely predicting the weather, she relishes the freedom to dictate events when engaged in novel writing.

Kirkwood acknowledges it was tough work as well (She penned six distinct conclusions for her debut novel before discovering one that fit the bill, she reveals privately).

Currently, my routine is writing from eight in the morning until noon, with a cup of coffee in hand, but during weekdays, I’m tied to BBC Breakfast. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, however, I get that luxury. Here’s hoping one day I can make it a regular occurrence.

It sounds like the 63-year-old is considering stepping down from television work, isn’t that right? But they’ve exclaimed, “Don’t say that, or I might lose my job! I adore what I do; it’s hard to imagine doing something else. There will come a time when I must retire, but for now, I’m still captivated by the weather. Each day is unique, you see? As an island, our weather is ever-changing, so it never gets boring.

She’s sincere about it: her social media content exclusively revolves around weather forecasting. To put it plainly, I’m focusing on the weather updates, not politics. Frankly speaking, my work schedule doesn’t leave much time for tweeting about political matters, and when I’m off duty, I prefer to read, enjoy a drink with friends, or take a walk instead.

According to her, her preference would be to go for a walk with her husband, Steve. Interestingly, it was during one of these walks that he demonstrated why he’d make an excellent husband: “On this particular Sunday, the sun was shining brightly, and we were strolling. I suggested we have a picnic, so we found a picturesque spot by the river, spread out a blanket – and then he started rummaging in his pocket. Out came a ring, but for a brief moment, I thought it might be a pie!” (It’s no surprise she’s not keen on George Clooney.)

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2025-07-08 03:05