Carol Smillie Now: Where Is She & Her New Job

The face that launched a thousand room renovations on BBC’s Changing Rooms swapped the TV studio for a very different stage. Carol Smillie, who became a household name in the 1990s as host of both Wheel of Fortune and the beloved home-makeover show, quietly stepped away from the limelight and into a career that few saw coming. As of 2024, she leads a life conducting weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies across Scotland — a far cry from the sequinned dresses and spinning wheels of her television heyday.

Born: 23 December 1961 ·
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland ·
Known for: Wheel of Fortune, Changing Rooms ·
Current role: Humanist celebrant ·
Instagram followers: 61.5K ·
Years active on TV: 1980s–2000s

Six key facts that define Carol Smillie’s life, from her Glasgow roots to her current ceremonial career.

What has happened to Carol Smillie?

Career transition from TV to humanist celebrant

Carol Smillie trained as a Humanist Celebrant in 2018 — a move that surprised many who still picture her spinning the wheel on Wheel of Fortune or wielding a paintbrush on Changing Rooms. The BBC News (Scottish service) reported her new role that same year. According to Metro (UK tabloid, tier 2), she first began by conducting funerals before expanding into other ceremonies.

The transition was not abrupt — Smillie had been stepping away from regular television work through the 2000s. HELLO! (celebrity publication, tier 2) noted that she qualified after a roughly 25-year career in modelling and television.

Move away from the public eye

Smillie retired from regular television in the 2000s, though her final regular TV role was with Changing Rooms, which ended in 2004. The Mirror (UK newspaper, tier 2) reported in 2021 that she had “packed in presenting” to become a celebrant. In a 2024 interview with Metro, she openly criticised on-screen ageism, saying the industry had no room for older women.

Recent public appearances and social media

Smillie remains active on Instagram (@carolsmillie_official, 61.5K followers), where she regularly shares pictures of the ceremonies she officiates. The Glasgow Times (local newspaper, tier 2) reported in 2024 that she officiated John Amabile’s wedding in Glasgow, confirming she is still performing ceremonies in the city.

The implication: Smillie’s pivot is not a retirement — it is a full-time occupation. She maintains local visibility and digital presence, but on her own terms, away from TV cameras.

What is Carol Smillie’s new job?

Humanist celebrant

Carol Smillie works as a Humanist Celebrant registered with Humanist Society Scotland. The Daily Record (Scottish newspaper, tier 2) confirmed she conducts humanist, non-religious weddings, funerals, and baby namings. HELLO! noted that these include legal wedding ceremonies authorised by Humanist Society Scotland.

Ayrshire Magazine (local publication, tier 3) reported that she conducts between 50 and 60 weddings per year — a substantial caseload that suggests demand for her services remains high.

TV presenter past

Before the celebrant career, Smillie was one of the most recognised faces on British television. She began as a model in the 1980s, then moved into presenting. Her big break came in 1988 as the host of Wheel of Fortune on ITV. From 1996 to 2004, she co-hosted the BBC’s Changing Rooms, a home renovation show that became a cultural phenomenon.

She also appeared on The Sooty Show and hosted several other programmes. Wikipedia (reference source, tier 2) documents her full televisionography, which includes guest spots and voice work.

Public speaking and events

Smillie is also available as a guest speaker through speaker agencies. The Sun (UK tabloid, tier 2) listed her current work as including public speaking engagements alongside her celebrant duties.

The trade-off: a TV career that peaked in the 90s gave way to a ceremony business built on personal connection. Smillie swapped millions of viewers for small, intimate gatherings — and appears to prefer the latter.

Where does Carol Smillie live now?

Current residence in Scotland

Carol Smillie lives in Glasgow, Scotland. The Glasgow Times (local newspaper, tier 2) reported her officiating a wedding in the city, confirming her ongoing presence in the area. She is not believed to live in a remote location; the Glasgow region is consistently cited.

Move from TV career

Her decision to remain in Scotland was deliberate. She told The Daily Record that she never wanted to move to London permanently during her TV career, choosing instead to commute. This commitment to Glasgow shaped her post-TV life and enabled her local celebrant practice.

The pattern: Smillie’s geography is not just about home — it’s her business address. Every wedding or naming ceremony she officiates in the Glasgow area reinforces her local reputation.

Was Carol Smillie a model?

Early career in modelling

Yes. Carol Smillie began her professional life as a model in the 1980s. Wikipedia records that she started modelling before transitioning to television. HELLO! noted that she had an approximately 25-year career combining modelling and television before retraining as a celebrant.

Transition to TV presenting

Smillie’s move from modelling to presenting was gradual. She began as a model on the game show The Price is Right before landing the hosting role on Wheel of Fortune. The Mirror notes that her modelling background gave her on-camera confidence that translated into a natural presenting style.

What this means: modelling was not a detour — it was the first step on a path that led to television, and eventually to a completely different kind of public-facing work as a celebrant.

What was Carol Smillie’s IQ?

No verifiable IQ score

There is no official, verifiable record of Carol Smillie having taken an IQ test. Wikipedia does not list any IQ score, and no credible source has published a confirmed result.

Speculation from old interviews

Old interviews occasionally referenced Smillie’s intelligence, but these are anecdotal. The claim that she had a specific IQ score (reportedly 158 in some internet forums) is unsubstantiated. The Sun addressed these rumours, treating them as unconfirmed.

The catch: like many pub trivia claims about celebrities, an IQ figure attached to Smillie has no paper trail. It is best treated as an internet myth.

What TV shows has Carol Smillie been on?

Wheel of Fortune

Smillie hosted Wheel of Fortune on ITV from 1988, replacing the original host. The show was a staple of British weekday teatime television for years. Wikipedia lists this role as her first major presenting job.

Changing Rooms

From 1996 to 2004, Smillie co-hosted the BBC’s Changing Rooms alongside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. The show, in which neighbours redecorated each other’s rooms, became a ratings hit and is still remembered as a defining programme of 1990s British TV. The Daily Record noted that the show cemented her as a household name.

Other shows

Beyond these two flagship programmes, Smillie appeared on The Sooty Show, The Big Breakfast, and various panel shows. She also had a cameo role in the 1999 film The Debt Collector. Wikipedia provides a full filmography.

The pattern: Smillie’s TV career spanned two decades and multiple genres — game shows, lifestyle programming, and children’s television — making her one of the most versatile presenters of her era.

What is Carol Smillie’s net worth?

Estimated net worth from TV career

Carol Smillie’s net worth is not publicly certified. The Sun and other outlets estimate it in the range of £1–3 million, based on her long television career and subsequent ceremonial work. However, these are estimates, not audited figures.

Current income as celebrant

As a humanist celebrant conducting 50–60 weddings per year, Smillie likely earns a comfortable but modest income compared to her TV presenter salary. Ayrshire Magazine (local magazine, tier 3) reported her wedding volume, but she does not disclose fees publicly.

The trade-off: Smillie likely exchanged a higher television income for greater personal fulfilment and control over her schedule. The financial trade-off appears to be one she accepted willingly.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Roo Irvine: Real Name, Husband, Net Worth & TV Career — another Scottish TV personality who carved a distinctive post-TV path.
• Nancy Birtwhistle: Biography, Books, and Eco-Cleaning Guide — a TV winner who turned a hobby into a full-time career.