Carol Kirkwood co-hosts The Great British Weather, a new BBC1 programme that feeds our obsession with the weather... What can you tell us about the new four-part show? "It goes out live each week from a different lovely location from around the UK. It's hosted by comedy star Alexander Armstrong, BBC sports presenter and Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris Hollins, and myself. Each week we have a different weather theme, were we'll be looking at why that place gets the weather it does." What can we expect from this week's opening episode? "We're in St Ives in Cornwall, so we want lots of people to come and get involved in the experiments we'll be doing, like looking at how the Gulf Stream works, with the help of two hunky men in trunks! We want people at home to join in as well, sending us their questions, stories and pictures. And there will be guests too - this week we've got veteran weatherman Bill Giles and Freddie Flintoff, who'll be telling us how the weather affects cricket." Why do you think we're so obsessed with the weather? "It's true, we are obsessed with the weather in the UK. I think it's because we're an island and we can literally get four seasons in one day! In the show we'll celebrate the British weather in all its shapes and forms - why we love it and love to hate it as well." How much truth are there in sayings such as 'red sky at night'? "Some of them are very accurate. But some are just myths. We'll be looking at these during the course of the show and also looking at the history of umbrellas!" Becoming a weather reporter isn't something that crops up on career day in school! How did you get into the profession? "When I was growing up my career choices were to become a nurse, secretary or a teacher. I fell into this after graduating with a degree in commerce. I started off working on BBC1's Breakfast show, but I was far too shy to be a presenter. But I ended up moving on to the Weather Channel and found I absolutely loved it. I went and studied meteorology then, and here I am back on the BBC!" How do you feel about the live element of your job? "It's the best laxative known to man when you first start! But now I love the challenge of it, and people don't mind if you make the odd mistake. It's easy to say 'frog and fost' instead of 'fog and frost'! What's the most challenging thing you have to do during The Great British Weather Show? "I filmed a piece for the second show, which focuses on clouds! I went up in a hang-glider, 5000 feet up. I could really feel the clouds around me. I'm glad I did it. But I don't think I'll be doing it again!" Why should people watch the show? "It's going to be fun as well as a learning experience. We also want the audience to get involved - we want emails, questions and pictures from viewers at home. And if anyone wants to come and watch the shows or get involved in experiments, they can get information from their local BBC radio station." The Great British Weather starts on Wednesday at 7.25pm on BBC1
