Changing Rooms icon Carol Smillie has made a huge career U-turn after finding fame on the hit BBC home makeover show.
The show aired for seven years until 2003, catapulting Carol and co-star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen into stardom.
Carol was snubbed from the Channel 4 reboot as show bosses have given it a makeover with a new line-up and a fresh look ahead of its debut on Wednesday.
Luckily, the TV host appears to be busy to notice as she has made a huge change to her career, stepping back from presenting and instead becoming a humanist celebrant.
She now officiates weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals after becoming a member of Humanist Society Scotland in 2018, and wed her first couple the following year.
(Image: Instagram)
Carol also ditched her professional name and performs the ceremonies under her married name of Carol King, and appears to be loving her new job.
She said back in 2018: “I am delighted to be part of the Humanist Society Scotland celebrant team. I have already found the experience a real privilege.
“For me, Humanist values of care, compassion and kindness are really important in delivering a meaningful ceremony.”
(Image: BBC)
She added: “Becoming a humanist celebrant is not necessarily about a big money-making adventure.
“People’s lives are so complex and interesting. It is a bit of a privilege, really.”
Humanist services are non-religious and became legal in Scotland in 2005.
Her change of career comes after she was reportedly left disappointed after discovering she wasn’t being approached to appear on the Channel 4 reboot of Changing Rooms, despite being one of the main presenters and winning an NTA and being nominated for a BAFTA during her time on the show.
(Image: Instagram)
A source told The Sun at the time: “Carol hasn’t been approached by those behind the Changing Rooms reboot — even when Davina had to pull out. A lot of people thought she’d be the number one choice given her experience on the show before and because they were bringing back Laurence LLewelyn-Bowen.
“Some people close to Carol raised it and it was made clear to them that her nose had been put out of joint.
“It’s only natural she would feel that way. Carol was the heart and soul of Changing Rooms for years.”
(Image: BBC)
Carol also presented Wheel of Fortune, as well as as Dream Holiday Home and A Brush With Fame.
She hosted Changing Rooms until 2003 before Laurence took over the role, and he will be returning for the reboot 17 years later.
He will be joined by Anna Richardson, who was signed up after Davina McCall was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, as well as two designers and carpenter Tibby Singh.
Changing Rooms launches on Wednesday August 18 at 8pm on Channel 4 and All 4.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
