Carol Kirkwood

Infobox journalist
name = Carol Kirkwood


birthname = Carol MacKellaig
birth_date = 29 May 1962 (aged 46)
birth_place = Morar, Invernessshire, Scotland
occupation = Journalist, Presenter, Weather Forecaster
ethnic = Scottish (100%)
religion = Christianity [BBC Profile]
credits = "BBC Breakfast"

Carol Kirkwood (born 29 May 1960) is a Scottish journalist, presenter and weather forecaster, currently employed by the BBC and best known for forecasting the weather for "BBC Breakfast".

Early life

Kirkwood was born Carol MacKellaig in Morar, Invernessshire, Scotland to both Scottish parents.

Career

Born one of eight children to parents who ran a hotel in Morar, Inverness-shire; she was a Girl Guide.citeweb|url=http://www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/information/info_interview_kirkwood.htm|title=Interview with Carol Kirkwood|publisher=Girl Guide Association|accessdate=2008-01-05] After an education that included a Catholic boarding school, Kirkwood gained a BA in commerce from Napier University in Edinburgh.

After graduation, Kirkwood joined the BBC's Secretarial Reserve in London, and after a series of internal moves presented short slots on BBC Radio Scotland, and then BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4. She subsequently worked as an Associate Director in recruitment, and as training consultant for a management consultancy in Cheshire.citeweb|url=http://www.mrcrip.com/carol-kirkwood.php|title=Carol Kirkwood|publisher=MrCrip|accessdate=2008-01-05]

Kirkwood rejoined the BBC at Elstree Studios training department in 1993 as a freelance presenter, during which time she presented a bi-monthly programme "Talking Issues" for HTV West. In 1996 Kirkwood joined the new UK operation of "The Weather Channel," but after it closed down in January 1998 she underwent intensive training under the guidance of the BBC at the Met Office, before joining BBC News as a weather presenter. She now regularly appears on BBC One, BBC News, BBC World News, BBCi and the BBC News at Six. She is one of the main weather presenters on BBC Breakfast, simulcast by both channels until 08:30 on weekdays.

In 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Kirkwood has also presented live forecasts as part of the BBC's coverage of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, sharing these duties with Dan Corbett and Susan Powell. She won the TRIC award for best TV Weather Presenter in 2003, 2008, beating Michael Fish and ITV's Siân Lloyd.

On BBC Breakfast on 23 June 2008,she admitted a liking for music from Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams.

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/bbcweather/forecasters/carolkirkwood_faq.shtml Carol Kirkwood Biography] BBC Weather Website
* [http://www.carolkirkwood.tv Carol Kirkwood personal website] Official website