BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has made her final appearance on BBC Breakfast today (April 1), ending a 28-year career with the corporation. The 62-year-old meteorologist announced her departure earlier this year, leaving viewers and colleagues shocked.
Kirkwood revealed that her decision to leave was driven by a desire to spend more time with her husband, Steve, whom she married in December 2023. Speaking emotionally to hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, she said: 'I'm going to be spending more time with Steve, my gorgeous husband. We have been married a couple of years ago but we are like ships passing in the night, so I'm so looking forward to doing that.'
She added that she also plans to travel and focus on her books. 'I've still got my books, you know, I've got a few other bits and pieces. I want to travel. We want to travel as well,' she said.
Kirkwood started her BBC career as a production secretary before becoming a production assistant and eventually a main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast in 2010. In a behind-the-scenes clip shared by fellow weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker, she joked about her post-show plans: 'Then, freedom! First thing I'm doing? That alarm clock, straight out!'
Colleagues have flooded her with messages, with Schafernaker saying: 'Well, the nation is going to miss you. We are all going to miss you here.' Kirkwood, who has been married to Steve for just over a year, described him as 'a keeper' and praised his cooking and tidiness.
