After an illustrious twenty-eight year tenure on screen, the much-adored weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has made the heartfelt decision to depart from BBC Breakfast. The announcement, delivered live on air with visible emotion, centres significantly on her husband Steve and a desire for new personal chapters.
An Emotional On-Air Revelation
Carol Kirkwood, 63, struggled to contain her tears as she shared the news with co-hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, confessing the difficulty of the choice. "I am going to be leaving. It’s really, really hard for me to say this," she stated. "I love my job. I love all of you guys, my weather colleagues, every department I work with, and, of course, all the viewers I've been so engaged with for many years."
She humorously added, "But it's great. I don't want to be coming in with my Zimmer frame when I can't reach the northern Isles anymore," signalling a thoughtful consideration of her future.
Husband Steve at the Heart of the Decision
The core reason for her exit revolves around her husband, Steve, whom she married in December 2023 after an engagement announced at the 2022 Chelsea Flower Show. Kirkwood explained, "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."
In a poignant moment, she emphasised, "I love my job. I've loved working at the BBC. But I love my husband more than my job. More than anyone!" Steve, who has deliberately remained out of the public eye, was previously described by Kirkwood in an interview as "extremely handsome" and "always making me laugh," noting his romantic gesture of making her tea at 2.45am before her early shifts.
Future Plans and Long-Awaited Changes
With her departure scheduled for around Easter, Kirkwood is looking forward to significant lifestyle changes. "What is a lie in? Alarm clocks will be a thing of the past!" she exclaimed, referencing the gruelling early morning schedule of BBC Breakfast.
Her plans include travelling with Steve, continuing her work as an author, and exploring new opportunities. "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 shared. "Traveling, writing books. You know, the future is rosy and the time is right, absolutely right for me to go so new beginnings for everyone."
A Career of Excellence and Accolades
Carol Kirkwood's journey with the BBC began even before her on-screen role, starting as a production secretary and assistant when Breakfast first aired. She returned as a presenter twenty-eight years ago, becoming a staple of morning television.
Her meteorological training at The Weather Channel, the Met Office, and the BBC led to her joining the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998. Since 2010, she has been the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast, also delivering forecasts for major events like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, and the Chelsea Flower Show.
Kirkwood's excellence has been recognised repeatedly, including being named Best TV Weather Presenter at the Television and Radio Industries Club Awards on nine separate occasions, with a consecutive win from 2012 to 2017.
Internal Surprise and Official Tributes
The decision was kept tightly under wraps, with co-host Sally Nugent revealing, "We should just put that this is everybody finding out now. So there are people in this room finding out now. There are people on our production team just outside the studio who are finding out now."
In an official statement, Kirkwood reflected, "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!" She thanked colleagues and viewers for their support and kindness.
Jonathan Munro, Interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, paid tribute: "Carol’s contribution to BBC News and BBC Weather has been exceptional. She has set the gold standard for our accurate, valued journalism - always delivered with an appropriately sunny outlook. She will be greatly missed."
As Carol Kirkwood prepares to turn off her alarm for the last time this April, she leaves behind a legacy of warmth, professionalism, and unforgettable forecasts, eagerly stepping into a future filled with love, travel, and new adventures.
