Carol Kirkwood confirms her last ever day on BBC Breakfast after 25 years with broadcaster – admitting that she’s ‘sad’ to be leaving and ‘will miss her co-stars and the viewers’

BBC weather legend Carol Kirkwood has confirmed today when her last appearance on BBC Breakfast will be after more than 25 years with the broadcaster.

The TV presenter announced she would be walking away from the series back in January, with a tearful on-screen announcement to viewers.

Carol, 63, struggled to get her words out as she announced the news alongside co-stars Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, admitting she ‘loves her job’ but was keen to spend more time with her husband, police officer Steve Randall.

Now, the weather presenter has confirmed exactly what day will be her last, telling fans live on air on the BBC she will wave goodbye on April 1.

Carol explained: ‘My last shift on air will be on April 1, and it’s not an April Fools! I can’t believe it’s coming around so quickly…’

Joking about the final eight early starts she will have to go through before exiting the programme, Carol added: ‘First thing I’ll do is throw my alarm in the bin.’


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BBC weather legend Carol Kirkwood has confirmed today when her last appearance on BBC Breakfast will be after more than 25 years with the broadcaster

The TV presenter announced she would be walking away from the series back in January, with a tearful on-screen announcement to viewers and co-stars Sally Nugent and Jon Kay
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The TV presenter announced she would be walking away from the series back in January, with a tearful on-screen announcement to viewers and co-stars Sally Nugent and Jon Kay

‘Oh it’s going to be sad,’ she continued. ‘It’s a really happy thing as well, but I’m going to miss you guys and everyone, the viewers as well.’

Back in January, Carol broke down as she made the announcement that she was due to leave, explaining that she ‘loved her husband more than her job’.

The Met Office-trained star choked up as she said: ‘So, I’m going to be leaving – and it’s really hard, really hard for me to say this because I love my job.

‘But it’s great – I don’t want to be coming in in my Zimmer frame and saying, “I can’t reach the Northern Isles anymore!”.’

Discussing spending more time with her husband, she added: ‘We only got married a couple of years ago and we’re like ships that pass in the night, so I’m so looking forward to doing that.’

Carol had kept the news of her departure secret from everyone – including her friends and her colleagues at BBC Breakfast.

She added with a smile: ‘I love my job, I’ve loved working at the BBC, but I love my husband more than my job.’

Carol Kirkwood was on the verge of tears as she announced she would leave the BBC after more than 25 years (seen announcing the news on BBC Breakfast today)
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Carol Kirkwood was on the verge of tears as she announced she would leave the BBC after more than 25 years (seen announcing the news on BBC Breakfast today)

Turning to Sally and Jon, she added: ‘I didn’t want to get emotional but you two are my friends and I love you dearly.’

As Carol finished delivering the news, Sally held her hand and Jon reached for a box of tissues, before both giving her a tight hug.

Sally joked: ‘There’s one important thing that we haven’t mentioned, which is that you are going to get a lie in.’

Carol’s BBC career has regularly seen her go above and beyond the use of a clicker.

She has memorably reported on sunshine and showers at Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot for BBC Breakfast, where she has been the main weather presenter since 2010.

And her sunny disposition has seen her laugh through the perils of live broadcasting, including being dragged to the ground by dogs on more than one occasion and laughing off a gaffe in which she called dog-walkers in Greenwich Park ‘doggers’.

Carol began her BBC career as a production secretary and production assistant on, ironically, BBC Breakfast – and had no designs on becoming a meteorologist, leaving the corporation for a time to work in consultancy.

She then auditioned for and underwent training at The Weather Channel in the US to become presenter on its short-lived UK edition, before she trained with the BBC and the Met Office to join the corporation full-time.

She joined the BBC Weather Centre in 1998, and quickly became a familiar face to millions on BBC News and BBC Breakfast.

Carol pictured with Steve at a Radio Times event in January 2023. They were wed in December that year
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Carol Kirkwood pictured with her husband, police officer Steve Randall, in January 2023. They wed in December that year

Her sparkling personality and endless on-screen charm has won her fans across the country, a collection of industry awards and wider recognition, including a place on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, where she reached week eight with Pasha Kovalev.

Born Carol MacKellaig, she wed property developer Jimmy Kirkwood before announcing that they were separating in 2008 after nearly two decades.

The split left her crying between delivering forecasts – but, as she later revealed to the Radio Times, encouraged her to come out of her shell.

She told the magazine: ‘I found myself when I got divorced. I started to do things and to think, ‘I’m not going to say no, I’m going to say yes!’

‘I’m braver now. I’ve flown with the Red Arrows, jumped out of planes with the Red Devils. When I was younger I would never have done that because I’d have thought, “Too dangerous!” Now I think, “Oh, you’ve got to live your life!”‘

She wed Steve in December 2023 at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire, and the pair now live together in Windsor.

She told House Beautiful magazine in July 2024: ‘If he’s at home, I’m happy. I don’t need anything else. He’s tall, handsome, kind, gentle, strong, funny, charming.

‘He’s a gentleman. He’s good at cooking. I could wax lyrical about Steve forever.’

Carol had dropped hints that she might leave Breakfast last year – and in a written statement, she added that leaving the broadcaster ‘hasn’t been an easy decision to make’, but added it ‘feels like the right moment to step away’.

Carol Kirkwood with early internet star Grumpy Cat in 2016 - just another day in a career that took her far beyond standing in front of a weather map
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Carol Kirkwood with early internet star Grumpy Cat in 2016 – just another day in a career that took her far beyond standing in front of a weather map

She said: ‘It’s been an absolute privilege to bring you the weather every day. My job is something I’ve never taken for granted and I’ve loved every minute!

‘From early starts and all manner of forecasts, I’ve shared it with incredible colleagues at BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and programmes across the BBC. I’d like to thank them for their support and friendship which has meant the world.

‘And to those watching and listening at home – thank you for all the kindness you have shown me over the years, being part of your mornings has been a joy.

‘This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but it feels like the right moment to step away. I’ll carry with me the most wonderful memories.’

Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive at BBC News and Current Affairs, said: ‘Carol’s contribution to BBC News and BBC Weather has been exceptional.

‘From major national moments to the everyday forecasts that are such an important part of our audiences’ lives, she has set the gold standard for our accurate, valued journalism – always delivered with an appropriately sunny outlook.

‘She will be greatly missed by teams across the BBC. We wish her all the best for the future.’