Writing about romance? It's a lot easier after I found love second time around says TV favourite Carol Kirkwood
Now, Scots TV presenter and author Carol Kirkwood has said the joy she has found after marrying her second husband is what allows her to write freely about love.
The 63-year-old, from Morar in Lochaber, tied the knot in December 2023 with policeman Steve Randall, 49.
While coy about her personal life, she says the bliss she has experienced since meeting Mr Randall plays a significant part in her literary freedom.
Ms Kirkwood spoke to MailOnline ahead of the release of her new book, Meet Me At Sunset, which tells the story of a glamorous woman who jets off to Majorca as she runs from a shattered love affair.
Asked if she uses any personal details in her books, she said: 'No element of our romance is in any of my books but Steve makes me happy and that makes it easier to write about romance.
'He makes me smile when I come in from work. It puts you in a good position mentally.'
It isn't the first time that Ms Kirkwood has turned her hand to writing – she is also the author of Under A Greek Moon, The Hotel on the Riviera, Secrets of the Villa Amore and Once Upon a Time in Venice.
Discussing what inspires her, she revealed the main protagonist of her latest novel is based on a mysterious stranger she saw on holiday.
She said: 'I was in Majorca with my husband and we went to this restaurant a couple of times.
'There was a lady who sat very upright and was impeccably dressed. She always had a salad and a glass of wine.
'She was always looking out to sea. It got me wondering 'what is her story?'
'I thought 'She's going to be a character in my book.'' She added: 'I'm a nosy parker – I love people watching.'
Ms Kirkwood was married to property developer Jimmy Kirkwood but the pair split in 2008 after 18 years of marriage, with the divorce finalised in 2012.
She recently made a cheeky comment when asked about her second marriage, telling one newspaper: 'Love is lovelier the second time around.
'No disrespect to my first husband, but this is better.'
Ms Kirkwood, who was on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, appears regularly across all of BBC Weather's output on both radio and TV and is the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast.
Asked how she fits in writing with her TV commitments, she said: 'If you want a job done, give it to a busy person. I write everywhere and anywhere.'
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