Carol Smillie

Carol Smillie, the Scottish television presenter best known for hosting Changing Rooms and assisting on Wheel of Fortune, has led a varied career that spans modelling, television, entrepreneurship, and most recently, humanist celebrant work. Born in Glasgow in 1961, she became a household name in the 1990s and has since stepped away from the limelight to focus on family and community service.

Smillie’s estimated net worth is reported to be between £785,000 and £3.9 million ($1–5 million), though no official figure has been confirmed. She is married to restaurateur Alex Knight, with whom she has three adult children. As of 2025, her primary role is as a Humanist Celebrant, conducting non-religious ceremonies in the Glasgow area.

This article brings together verified details about her finances, family, and career, sourced from reputable outlets including The Sun, Metro, and her official website.

What is Carol Smillie’s net worth?

• Carol Smillie transitioned from mainstream TV presenter to humanist celebrant, officiating weddings and funerals.
• Her husband Alex Knight co-owns a restaurant, adding a family business dimension.
• Net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates vary widely and should be treated as speculative.
• She remains active on Instagram (@carolsmillieofficial), sharing her celebrant work and personal moments.
• Smillie has been married for over 30 years and has three children, including a daughter.
• Her underwear brand Pretty Clever Pants was stocked in major UK retailers before being sold in 2018.

Who is Carol Smillie’s husband and how many children does she have?

Her husband Alex Knight

Carol Smillie married Alex Knight in 1991. Alex is a restaurateur. The couple have been together for over three decades. Smillie has described their relationship as solid and private. The name of his restaurant is not widely publicised; reports identify him as a restaurateur in the Glasgow area.

Three children: Christie, Robbie, and Jodie

Smillie and Knight have three children: Christie (born 1995), Robbie (born 1997), and Jodie (born 1999). The family lives together in Glasgow. Smillie has kept her children out of the public eye, and little is known about their professional lives. The daughter Jodie has been mentioned in passing by Smillie on social media.

Restaurant connection

Alex Knight’s work as a restaurateur has been reported by The Sun and Metro, but specific details about the restaurant’s name and location are not confirmed in high-authority sources. The family business dimension adds a layer of personal interest, but should not be taken as established fact.

From model to TV presenter: What is Carol Smillie doing now?

Early modelling and television breakthrough

Smillie began her career as a model in the early 1980s, joining the Best Modelling Agency. She was deemed too short for catwalk work, so she moved into television. In 1988, she beat 5,000 applicants to become the assistant on the Scottish TV version of Wheel of Fortune, alongside Nicky Campbell. That role launched her presenting career.

The Changing Rooms era and peak fame

From 1996 to 2003, Smillie hosted BBC One’s Changing Rooms, a home makeover show that made her a household name. The programme’s cheerful style and Smillie’s warm personality resonated with audiences. She also co-presented The Travel Show, The Holiday Show, Dream Holiday Homes, A Brush With Fame, and The People’s Court. In 2008 she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing in fifth place.

Leaving mainstream television in 2012

After 25 years in modelling and TV, Smillie quit mainstream television in 2012. She later explained that she wanted to escape the ageism she experienced in the industry. Rather than fade away, she reinvented herself as an entrepreneur.

Pretty Clever Pants and other ventures

Between 2012 and 2018, Smillie founded a leak-proof underwear brand called Pretty Clever Pants (originally DiaryDoll). The product was stocked in Boots, John Lewis, and Debenhams before being sold to High Street TV in 2018. She also published Carol Smillie’s Working Mums Handbook in 2003.

Humanist celebrant (2018–present)

In 2018 Smillie trained with Humanist Society Scotland and became a Humanist Celebrant. She now conducts non-religious weddings, funerals, and baby namings in the Glasgow area. She has called the role a “privilege” that helps people through life’s best and worst days. As of 2025, this is her main profession.

How did Carol Smillie’s career unfold? A timeline

1. 1961 – Born in Glasgow on 23 December.
2. Early 1980s – Began career as a model, appearing in magazines and advertisements.
3. 1988 – Became co-host of the UK game show ‘Wheel of Fortune’ on ITV.
4. 1996 – Joined BBC’s ‘Changing Rooms’ as a presenter, achieving national fame.
5. 2001 – Appeared as a guest on ‘Sooty’ and other TV programmes.
6. 2004 – Left ‘Changing Rooms’ after the series ended.
7. 2008 – Acted in the film ‘Infamy’.
8. 2012 – Quit mainstream television after 25 years.
9. 2018 – Trained as a Humanist celebrant with Humanist Society Scotland.
10. 2025 – Continues as a humanist celebrant, active on Instagram and the speaker circuit.

What is known and what remains uncertain about Carol Smillie?

What context surrounds Carol Smillie’s career shift?

Carol Smillie embodies a shift from mainstream television to a more personal, service-oriented career. Her decision to become a humanist celebrant reflects a broader trend of TV personalities moving into meaningful life-event roles. After experiencing ageism in the industry, she chose to pursue work that offers genuine human connection.

Her long marriage and family life contrast with the often short-lived fame of reality TV, making her a respected figure for durability and authenticity. Despite not being in the limelight since the mid-2000s, she maintains a modest social media following and active speaking engagements, indicating a steady niche demand.

The lack of clear net worth data suggests a private financial life, common among semi-retired TV personalities who do not seek endorsement deals.

Sources and quotes about Carol Smillie

“It’s a privilege to help people through the best and worst days of their lives.”

– Carol Smillie, as quoted in Metro

Key sources used in this article include:

• Wikipedia – Carol Smillie
• Official website
• IMDB profile
• Instagram profile
• Great British Speakers profile
• The Sun

Summary: Carol Smillie’s life and legacy

Carol Smillie moved from modelling to national television fame, then deliberately stepped away to build a business and a community-focused career as a humanist celebrant. She remains a recognisable Scottish figure, valued for her warmth and longevity. While net worth speculation persists, her real wealth appears to lie in a stable family life and purposeful work. For more on figures from Scotland’s entertainment world, see our list of Scottish television personalities.

Frequently asked questions about Carol Smillie