Popular BBC TV presenter opens up on 14-year age gap to ‘toyboy’ husband

BBC star Carol Kirkwood has no time for criticism of her 14-year age gap with husband Steve Randall.

The beloved TV star, 62, walked down the aisle to marry policeman Steve, 48, last year in an intimate ceremony.

Alas, the weather presenter has received mean-spirited comments about their difference in age, which she doesn’t believe would happen if she were a younger woman marrying an older man.

In a new interview, she brushed the remarks aside, saying: ‘If our ages were the other way around, nobody would ever mention it.’

Carol added to the Express: ‘I’ve had a few comments but I don’t care.

‘We’ve moved on from the days when he might have been described as my toyboy or people might call me a cougar.’

She stated proudly: ‘We’re happy together and that’s all that matters.’

The star also shared that their small wedding attended by loved ones was the ‘best thing’ that she has ever done.

Singing Steve’s praises, she hailed her husband as ‘kind and intelligent’.

Carol got engaged to Steve in 2022 after he popped the question while on holiday, having once said she ‘wasn’t looking for love’ before they got together.

She announced the proposal live on-air while presenting at the Chelsea Flower Show, noticeably sporting a new ring on her left hand.

Her colleagues, Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, couldn’t resist probing her on the jewellery.

‘I’m a bit concerned about how you’re standing up with a giant rock on that left hand,’ Sally joked.

‘Thank you, Sal! It is rather nice,’ Carol said before blurting out: ‘I got engaged!’

Carol shared details of the romantic moment, which happened over a picnic, but decided not to reveal any further details about her love life or the identity of her partner.

It wasn’t until they married that Carol gushed about her new husband on BBC Breakfast, describing it as ‘the most perfect and romantic and intimate wedding.’

‘We are both so incredibly happy.’

Following their festive wedding on December 27, Carol thanked fans and famous pals for their ‘lovely messages’ of congratulations.

‘It was a tiny wedding but so romantic and intimate. A day we will never forget. We are bursting with happiness.’

She added: ‘It wasn’t a ‘secret’ wedding, just a private one.’

Carol and Steve have been together since 2021.

This is Carol’s second marriage as she was previously married to Jimmy Kirkwood for 18 years, before splitting in 2008.