After 28 years as a weather presenter, Carol Kirkwood has retired from the BBC and was sent off in a celebration featuring surprise celebrity cameos, a poem read by actor Brian Cox – and a reunion with the energetic dog that famously yanked her off screen in 2021.
The ever-upbeat Kirkwood, 63, hosted her final weather update on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning (1 April), much to the sadness of viewers and hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent . The weather presenter fought back tears while thanking viewers for “letting me be a part of your lives”.
The special celebratory episode was packed with tributes to Kirkwood, who received messages from a flurry of recognisable faces, including singer Bryan Adams, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former BBC Breakfast host Susanna Reid, who recorded a video from her studio on ITV’s Good Morning Britain – a rare instance of the rival channels merging.
Throughout the three-hour broadcast, Kirkwood was also given several gifts, including a cake, a special painting from Mr Men illustrator Adam Hargreaves depicting her as “Little Miss Sunshine”, and a bunch of flowers presented by her husband, police officer Steve Randall, who had told her he “wasn’t coming in” to the studio.
“You’re in trouble!” Kirkwood joked as Randall joined her on the sofa. She was then surrounded by numerous BBC colleagues from behind the scenes before issuing a moving speech to viewers, thanking them for their trust for almost three decades.
Other stars to send video messages for Kirkwood included friends Sue Barker, Clare Balding, Zoe Ball and Judy Murray, as well as Vicky McClure, the star of her favourite series, Line of Duty. But it was a message from “Summer of ‘69’ singer Adams that left Kirkwood’s jaw on the floor.
The weather host had a memorable back-and-forth with the star when he appeared on BBC Breakfast in 2015, telling her she “looked wonderful” and couldn’t wait to “see her dancing” on Strictly.
“Thank you, Bryan – how on earth can I do the weather now? I have no idea,” the flustered host responded.
Ahead of her departure, Adams said: “Hi Carol, just wanted to say thanks for all the great weather reports over the years and good luck wherever you land. Take care, lots of love.”
Kirkwood’s final ever segment for the BBC, in which she warned the nation about incoming cold and rainy weather, played out ordinarily, but Kay and Nugent applauded her at the end, calling it “perfect”. They then welcomed the outgoing host to the sofa, where she thanked viewers for their trust over her three-decade career.
“This is a forecast I’ve known for quite a while was coming, but that doesn’t make it easier to present because, after 28 years as a BBC weather presenter – tracking storms, chasing sunshine and occasionally getting it completely wrong – I'm saying goodbye,” she said.
“When I first walked into this studio, I could never have imagined the journey ahead,” she continued, highlighting the changes in technology she’s experienced.
“Back then, the graphics were simpler, the maps were clunkier and I had a lot less grey hair than I do now, but one thing has never changed, and that is the privilege and honour of being welcomed into your homes.”
She added: “Thank you for trusting me – you’ve been the constant in all of this and I’ve never taken that for granted. I’m really going to miss you.”
Kirkwood fought back tears as she said she was embarking on “a new chapter”, which would involve “the luxury of watching the weather instead of presenting it”. She also said she plans to get a new cat.
The weather presenter, who woke up at 2.45am to be in the BBC Breakfast studios on time, said she was “in denial” about getting to have lie-ins. She also revealed that her husband was relieved as he would always get up at the same time to make her a cup of tea before she left for work.
“As for what comes next, for once I don't have a detailed forecast – but I do know this: it's time for a new chapter and perhaps the luxury of watching the weather instead of presenting it. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.”
Her final ever segment for the BBC, in which she warned the nation about incoming cold and rainy weather, played out ordinarily, but Kay and Nugent applauded her at the end, calling it “perfect”.
Kay praised Kirkwood for “setting the tone” in the studio with her jovial demeanour, assuring her “your legacy will continue” and “we will be more Carol”. Nugent added: “You have changed the way weather has been reported on television.”
Kirkwood joined the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998 and began broadcasting on the BBC News channel, before making regular appearances on BBC One. She has been BBC Breakfast’s main weather presenter since 2010.
She named presenting from the Chelesa Flower Show, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, and the poppies at the Tower of London as her highlights.
Meteorologist Matt Taylor is set to replace Kirkwood on BBC Breakfast. He’s been part of the BBC’s Weather Centre since 2004.
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