Carol Smillie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carol Smillie
Smillie performing as Madonna in Hormonal Housewives at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland, November 2011
Born	Carol Patricia Smillie (1961-12-23) 23 December 1961 (age 63) Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation	Television presenter, actress, entrepreneur, author, model, humanist celebrant
Years active	1989–2011
Spouse(s)	Alex Knight ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	3

Carol Patricia Smillie (born 23 December 1961) is a Scottish former television presenter, actress, and model. She became very well-known on British TV in the 1990s and early 2000s. Many people remember her from the game show Wheel of Fortune, where she helped Nicky Campbell from 1989 to 1994. Later, from 1996 to 2003, she was the main host of the popular home makeover show Changing Rooms on BBC One.

After her time at the Glasgow School of Art, Carol worked as a model throughout the 1980s. Her big chance in television came in 1989 when she tried out for Wheel of Fortune. After leaving that show in 1994, she joined the BBC. She first worked as a reporter for The Travel Show and then the Holiday show, eventually becoming its main presenter. Her role on Changing Rooms made her a household name. This led to her hosting other big shows for the BBC, like the National Lottery and her own chat show, Smillie's People.

In 2012, Carol decided to step away from regular TV. She started a new business called DiaryDoll, which sold special leak-proof underwear for women. This brand was later renamed Pretty Clever Pants. In 2018, she handed over control of her business, letting another company, High Street TV, manage the brand. Since 2018, Carol Smillie has also become a humanist celebrant. This means she can lead non-religious weddings, funerals, and baby-naming ceremonies.

Carol Smillie's Early Life and Career Beginnings (1961–1988)

Carol Smillie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 23 December 1961. Her parents were Isobel and George Smillie, who was an electrical engineer. She has two older sisters and one older brother.

Carol went to Simshill Primary School and then Hutchesons' Grammar School. She earned seven O-grades, including one in fabric and fashion. The next year, she got three Highers, but she needed five to get into the Glasgow School of Art. She studied at Langside College and got one more Higher. She said she had too much freedom and enjoyed herself too much! But she didn't give up. She spent another year at Cardonald College and finally achieved her goal.

In 1979, at age 18, Carol started her first year at the Glasgow School of Art. She studied Art, Design, and Fashion, hoping to become a fashion designer. However, she felt she didn't quite fit in with the other students who had bright green hair and pink shoes. To help pay for her studies, Carol worked part-time in a cocktail bar and also did some modeling. Eventually, she left art school to focus on her modeling career.

Carol then joined the Best Modelling Agency. She was about 5 feet 5 inches tall, which was a bit too short for catwalk modeling. So, she mostly did photo shoots and promotions. She worked for this agency throughout the 1980s. It was through this agency that she met her future husband, Alex Knight, who was also a model.

Carol Smillie's Television Journey (1989–2011)

Starting with Wheel of Fortune (1989–1994)

Carol Smillie's TV career began in 1989 when she was 27. She was chosen from 5,000 other people to be the hostess and puzzle board operator for Scottish Television's Wheel of Fortune game show. She co-hosted the show with Nicky Campbell until 1994.

Travel and Home Makeovers (1994–2003)

After Wheel of Fortune, Carol worked as a reporter on BBC Two's The Travel Show (1992–1993). She also presented a fashion series called Get It On (1994–1996). In 1995, she joined Hearts of Gold, a show that celebrated everyday heroes.

From 1996 to 2000, Carol presented the Holiday programme on BBC One. She also hosted other holiday shows like Summer Holiday and Holiday Heaven.

In 1996, Carol became the first presenter of the new DIY show Changing Rooms on BBC Two. The show was an instant hit and moved to BBC One for its second series. It became very popular and encouraged many people to try DIY projects in their homes. During her time on the show, Changing Rooms won awards and was nominated for a BAFTA. Carol was the main presenter for 13 series, leaving in 2003.

Hosting the National Lottery (1996–2000)

In 1996, Carol was also chosen to present The National Lottery Show for the BBC. She mostly appeared on the Wednesday Midweek Draw but sometimes on Saturday nights too. She hosted different versions of the show until 2000.

Other TV Shows and Guest Spots

In 1998, Carol hosted her own morning chat show on BBC One called Smillie's People. After leaving Changing Rooms in 2003, she joined the Channel 5 show Dream Holiday Homes. This show was similar to Changing Rooms, but it made over entire properties in sunny European locations.

In 2004, Carol took part in Strictly Ice Dancing, a special ice-skating version of Strictly Come Dancing. The next year, she presented The People's Court and A Brush with Fame, a show looking for the UK's best amateur portrait artist.

Dancing on Strictly Come Dancing (2006)

From October to December 2006, Carol competed in Series Four of Strictly Come Dancing with her dance partner Matthew Cutler. She got better and better as the show went on. The judge Len Goodman often called her the Dark Horse of the competition. She finished in fifth place out of fourteen contestants.

More Recent TV Work (2007–2014)

Carol returned to STV from 2007 to 2008 to host Postcode Challenge, a game show where teams from the same area answered general knowledge questions. In 2009, she presented Best of British Wedding Venues on Wedding TV. From 2013 to 2014, Carol hosted Finding Scotland's Real Heroes for STV.

She also made guest appearances on many other shows, including Noel's House Party (1993), Lily Savage's Blankety Blank (2001), and The Sooty Show (2002). In 2004, she took part in a TV documentary called Gender Swap, where she was transformed into a man using special makeup.

Carol Smillie's Other Ventures

Modeling Career (1982–2010)

In her younger years, Carol worked as a model for exhibitions and sometimes for lingerie. She continued to model occasionally even after becoming famous. From 2007 to 2010, she was the main model for The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, a Scottish company.

Radio Work (1994, 2009)

In 1994, Carol hosted a holiday show for BBC Radio 5 Live called Carol Smillie's Blue Skies. In 2009, she appeared in a comedy sketch show on BBC Radio Scotland called Ellis and Clarke, playing a funny version of herself. She also hosted her own radio show on 105.2 Smooth Radio in Glasgow in 2009.

Becoming an Author (2003)

In 2003, Carol Smillie became a best-selling author with her book Carol Smillie's Working Mum's Handbook. This book, co-written with Eileen Fursland, discussed the challenges and feelings of mothers who go back to work. It covered topics like balancing work and family, managing time, and workplace rights. From May 2008, Carol also co-wrote a weekly column in The Times called 'Perfect Pets' for 10 weeks.

Acting on Stage and Film (2006–2011)

Smillie performing as Madonna in Hormonal Housewives at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland, November 2011

Smillie performing with Shonagh Price in Hormonal Housewives, 2010

From 2006 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2011, Carol performed on stage. In 2010, she appeared in a new comedy play called Hormonal Housewives. She acted alongside Julie Coombe and Shonagh Price. The play showed three women trying to manage their careers, childcare, and housework. The show ended with a fun music medley, where Carol played Madonna and mimed to the song "Holiday". She even wore a famous cone-bra outfit! She toured Scotland with this play.

In 2008, Carol also made her film debut in a short movie called Infamy. She played a TV presenter named Joan in the story about a man desperate to be on reality TV.

Starting Her Own Business (2012–2018)

In October 2012, Carol Smillie started her own business called DiaryDoll with her friend, former tennis player Annabel Croft. They created a line of women's underwear with a special waterproof panel to prevent leaks and stains. The goal was to make women feel confident during their periods. The company later changed its name to Pretty Clever Pants and also helped women after childbirth or with pelvic floor issues. Carol also wanted to help reduce the embarrassment around periods and women's health.

Becoming a Humanist Celebrant (2018–Present)

Carol Smillie is a humanist. In 2018, she became a certified humanist celebrant with the Humanist Society Scotland. This means she can lead non-religious ceremonies like weddings, funerals, and baby-namings.

Carol Smillie's Personal Life

Carol lives in Glasgow with her husband, Alex Knight, who owns restaurants. They got married in August 1991 and have three children.

Her famous smile was even copied by the impressionist Ronni Ancona on the TV show Big Impression. Ronni's impression of Carol often used the phrase "I'm Smiley Smiley Carol Smillie".

Charity Work

Carol Smillie is involved with several charities, especially those that help children. One of her main charities is The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice (PPWH). She helps host a special 'A Little Less Strictly Come Dancing' Ball for them every year. Carol also appeared on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to raise money for the charity NSPCC.

Supporting Glasgow Institutions

Carol is a trustee for several important places in Glasgow. She is on the board for The Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal (KRA) at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. She also became a board member and Trustee for The Riverside Museum.

She supports the Glasgow School of Art, where she was once a student. Carol is part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project team. In 2007, she launched The Digital MacIntosh Project to raise money to restore the MacIntosh Building at the school.

The Mensa Test

When Carol was hosting Wheel of Fortune in the early 1990s, a newspaper asked her to take a test for Mensa International, a group for people with high IQs. This was to show that game show hosts were not "stupid." She later said she passed with an IQ of 148. However, in 2003, she shared that the test was not taken under strict exam conditions. She only finished about two-thirds of it and then called a friend to help with the rest. She explained that she didn't feel too bad about it because it wasn't a "real" test to her, and Mensa had never officially invited her to take part.

Filmography

Television

Presenter

Guest appearances

Reality TV Appearances

Actress

Radio

• Ellis and Clarke 2009

Books

• Carol Smillie's Working Mums Handbook (2003)

Awards

• National Television Award for Changing Rooms
• INDIE Award for Changing Rooms
• Bafta Nominated for Changing Rooms
• Rear of the Year 1998, an award for people with a notable posterior.
• In October 2008, Carol was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for Most Popular Scottish Presenter.