From game show hostess to business mogul and humanist celebrant
In short: In 1989, Carol Smillie beat 5,000 applicants to launch a television career that would define a decade. From driving the DIY craze in the 1990s to launching a specialized apparel brand, her career trajectory has spanned from mainstream entertainment to the profound work of humanist ceremonies.
Smillie’s ascent began in 1989 when, at age 27, she secured the role of hostess and puzzle board operator on the Scottish Television version of Wheel of Fortune, co-presenting alongside Nicky Campbell until 1994. This success paved the way for a prolific period on BBC One, where she became a household name through various holiday programmes and her role as the original presenter of the DIY phenomenon Changing Rooms. Between 1996 and 2003, she hosted 13 series of the makeover show, a program credited with sparking a widespread DIY craze in the late 1990s.
Her versatility extended into primetime presenting for the BBC's National Lottery and even a stint on the celebrity dance floor. In the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing, she was famously dubbed the 'Dark Horse' by Len Goodman, eventually finishing fifth among fourteen competitors. Beyond the screen, Smillie has demonstrated significant entrepreneurial and literary talent. She moved from mainstream TV in 2012 to start DiaryDoll, a leak-proof underwear label for women, subsequently rebranded as Pretty Clever Pants.
Smillie handed over her company in 2018, granting High Street TV the rights to the brand via licensing. Having moved away from the spotlight of mainstream media, she has since focused on a new professional chapter. Following her qualification with the Humanist Society Scotland, she has been pursuing a career as a humanist celebrant, conducting ceremonies that reflect a shift from the high-energy entertainment of her earlier years to more personal, reflective life events.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Carol Smillie
- Also: Wikidata — Carol Smillie · CC0
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