Jimmy Kirkwood: Carol Kirkwood’s Ex-Husband, Property Developer & The Name Confusion Explained

The name Jimmy Kirkwood is one that pops up in a variety of contexts – from sports history to television drama, from a high‑profile marriage to a BBC presenter to fictional characters on Suits. This blend of identities has caused confusion for many people searching the name online. In this article, we explore who Jimmy Kirkwood really is, separating the real-life personalities from fictional portrayals, and clarifying his connection to Carol Kirkwood, his career as a property developer, and whether he has remarried.

Who is Jimmy Kirkwood?

The name Jimmy Kirkwood is shared by at least two notable figures:

1. Jimmy Kirkwood the Athlete – Born James William Kirkwood on 12 February 1962 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, he is a celebrated former field hockey player who represented both Ireland and Great Britain, winning a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In addition to his hockey career, he also played cricket for Ireland at an interprovincial level. After retiring from competitive sport, he transitioned into a career in banking with HSBC in Belfast and was later inducted into the Irish Hockey Association Hall of Fame.

2. Jimmy Kirkwood the Property Developer – This is the man more closely linked to BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood. He worked in real estate and property development and became known for his marriage to Carol, which lasted from 1990 until 2008. Unlike the athlete, this Jimmy Kirkwood is not a public sports figure but gained media attention due to his high-profile marriage.

Jimmy Kirkwood and Carol Kirkwood – The Marriage

Carol Kirkwood (née MacKellaig) is one of the BBC’s most recognized weather presenters. Born in Morar, Scotland, on 29 May 1962, she joined the BBC in the 1990s and quickly became a familiar face on British television.

Carol married Jimmy Kirkwood in 1990. At the time, Jimmy was working as a property developer and the two lived a relatively private life away from the media spotlight. Their marriage spanned almost two decades before ending in divorce in 2008.

Carol later stated in interviews that the split was amicable, though she admitted it took her some time to adjust to life on her own. She has since moved on and remarried, while Jimmy’s post-divorce life has remained largely private.

Jimmy Kirkwood as a Property Developer

Jimmy Kirkwood’s work in property development has been described as successful but understated. He was involved in developing and managing real estate projects, a field that requires a strong understanding of market trends, planning regulations, and client relations. While he did not seek public attention for his career, his financial stability likely contributed to the relatively comfortable life he and Carol enjoyed during their marriage.

Unlike high-profile celebrity entrepreneurs, Jimmy preferred to keep his business dealings private, avoiding the limelight and the press.

Did Jimmy Kirkwood Remarry?

After his divorce from Carol Kirkwood in 2008, very little is known publicly about whether Jimmy remarried. He has kept his private life extremely low-key, and there are no confirmed media reports linking him to a new partner or family. This discretion has contributed to the ongoing mystery around his personal life.

Jimmy Kirkwood’s Children

Public records and interviews suggest that Jimmy Kirkwood and Carol Kirkwood did not have children together. Neither has ever spoken publicly about having children, and there are no credible reports linking Jimmy to any children from other relationships. This further adds to the limited information available about his family life.

The Confusion with the Athlete Jimmy Kirkwood

One of the biggest sources of online confusion is the fact that two different men share the name Jimmy Kirkwood.

• The athlete Jimmy Kirkwood is an Olympic champion in field hockey who was never married to Carol Kirkwood.

• The property developer Jimmy Kirkwood was married to Carol for 18 years but has no connection to field hockey or sports at a professional level.

This mix-up is so common that the athlete himself has publicly clarified that he has never been married to Carol Kirkwood.

Jimmy Kirkwood and the Suits Actor Connection

Adding to the confusion, there is also a fictional character named Jimmy Kirkwood in the popular American TV legal drama Suits. This character is portrayed by actor Pooch Hall. He has no connection to either the property developer or the field hockey player. The overlap in names is purely coincidental.

For fans of Suits, Jimmy Kirkwood is remembered as a minor but memorable character within the Pearson Hardman storyline. However, his fictional life and drama have nothing to do with the real Jimmy Kirkwoods.

Jimmy Kirkwood in the Public Eye

The property developer Jimmy Kirkwood has largely stepped away from the public eye since his divorce from Carol. While Carol remains a beloved television personality and occasional feature in UK tabloids, Jimmy’s name surfaces mainly in biographical references to her life. He does not appear to have sought media interviews, celebrity appearances, or public commentary.

In contrast, the athlete Jimmy Kirkwood occasionally appears in sports retrospectives, especially when Olympic hockey achievements are discussed.

Life After Carol Kirkwood

Following the divorce, Jimmy’s life moved in a quieter, more private direction. Without social media accounts or public statements, it’s difficult to trace his current whereabouts or activities. Based on available information, it’s likely that he continues to work or invest in property development or related business ventures, possibly enjoying a semi-retired lifestyle.

The Legacy of the Name “Jimmy Kirkwood”

The name Jimmy Kirkwood carries multiple identities:

1. The Athlete – remembered for Olympic glory, sporting dedication, and representing both Ireland and Great Britain.

2. The Property Developer – known largely for his long marriage to Carol Kirkwood and his work in real estate.

3. The Fictional Character – appearing in Suits as part of a legal drama storyline.

For anyone researching the name, it’s essential to understand these distinctions to avoid conflating different people with very different life stories.

Final Thoughts

Whether as a property developer, an Olympic gold medalist, or a TV character, Jimmy Kirkwood is a name that sparks curiosity. The property developer Jimmy Kirkwood’s connection to BBC presenter Carol Kirkwood remains the most notable aspect of his public identity, but beyond that, he has kept his life private, avoiding the glare of media attention.

As with many private individuals linked to public figures, much of his story is known only to those close to him. What is clear, however, is that the real Jimmy Kirkwood – Carol’s ex-husband – is not the sports legend and not a fictional TV lawyer, but a man who chose a quieter path once the spotlight faded.

This article was prepared for Mating Press Celebrity, aiming to clarify and separate fact from fiction about the many lives of Jimmy Kirkwood.