Carol Kirkwood, the beloved BBC Breakfast weather presenter, has boldly confronted years of “dreadful abuse” from online trolls, declaring, “Call me what you like, but I show up every day and I own that screen.” In a fiery RadioTimes interview on July 8, 2025, the 63-year-old Scottish meteorologist addressed the relentless harassment she’s faced since joining the BBC in 1997, dismissing it as “heavy rain off a duck’s back.” Her unyielding resilience has cemented her status as a television icon, thriving amidst adversity with a bestselling writing career and a fairytale wedding.

Kirkwood, who began her TV career in 1992 and joined BBC News in 1998, has endured personal attacks on social media, particularly on X, and through emails containing “dreadful things.” Speaking to RadioTimes, she stated, “I am what I am, and I don’t really care what anybody thinks of me,” addressing critics who debate her title—whether “weather girl” or “broadcast meteorologist.” She also weighed in on the #notaweathergirl hashtag, used by peers to combat sexism, noting, “Titles don’t really matter. I’m just doing my job to the best of my ability.” Her defiance echoes a 2014 interview with The Herald, where she described trolls’ comments as “very personal” but chose to let them go.

Despite the vitriol, Kirkwood’s career shines. She’s won multiple TRIC awards for Best TV Weather Presenter and charmed audiences on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. Her fifth book is set for release, adding to her success as an author. On a personal note, her 2023 marriage to Steve Randall at Cliveden House was a “perfect and romantic” moment, shared joyfully with fans on X. Yet, she’s candid about challenges, including a 2024 health scare with a persistent “100-day cough” that strained her voice on air, earning support from co-hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay.

The trolling hasn’t dimmed Kirkwood’s warmth or professionalism. She’s addressed ageism, reflecting on losing friends to breast cancer and embracing her “laughter lines” as a badge of experience. Her resilience resonates with fans, who flooded X with praise after her interview, one writing, “Carol’s strength is inspiring—she’s a true role model.” However, the abuse highlights the darker side of fame, with Kirkwood admitting in 2014 that “some of it gets to you,” though she’s since mastered shrugging it off.

As BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6 a.m. on BBC One, Kirkwood remains a fixture, undeterred by critics. Her bold takedown signals she’s not just surviving but thriving, proving that no amount of online hate can dim her sunshine. What’s next for this indomitable star? The forecast is clear: more brilliance.