Tearful Carol Kirkwood Announces She Will Leave the BBC After More Than 25 Years
Carol Kirkwood, one of the BBC’s most familiar faces, has announced she is leaving the broadcaster after more than 25 years. The veteran weather presenter became visibly emotional during her announcement on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning, telling colleagues and viewers that stepping away from the role was “really hard” because she loves her job so much.
Kirkwood, 63, first joined the BBC in 1998 and became a mainstay on BBC Breakfast, where she delivered daily weather forecasts to millions of viewers. Over the years she gained widespread affection for her warm presenting style and became one of the most recognisable figures on British morning television.
Appearing alongside co-hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, Kirkwood fought back tears as she expressed her gratitude to colleagues and audiences alike, saying she has “loved every minute” of her time at the BBC. She joked about not wanting to continue presenting “on a zimmer frame,” before explaining that she plans to spend more time with her husband, Steve Randall, whom she married in 2023, and pursue other interests including travel and writing.
Kirkwood’s departure comes as a significant moment for the long-running BBC Breakfast programme, where she has been the main weather presenter since 2010. Viewers and industry figures have already begun paying tribute to her long service, with many describing her exit as the end of an era. Her final broadcasts are expected before her planned departure in April.
BBC leadership also acknowledged her contribution, praising her professionalism and the positive presence she brought to morning television. As she prepares for the next chapter of her life, fans have flooded social media with messages of thanks and affection for the beloved broadcaster.
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