After calmly guiding viewers through another round of turbulent weather, Carol Kirkwood shifted the tone in a way no one expected.
Sitting on the BBC Breakfast sofa, the familiar and reassuring face of British weather delivered news that felt personal, emotional, and deeply human.
After more than 25 years at the BBC, Carol revealed she’s stepping away from the broadcaster this April.
An Emotional Announcement on BBC Breakfast
The 63-year-old weather presenter fought back tears as she shared the news live on air, moments after reporting on Storm Chandra.
Joined by her close colleagues Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, Carol struggled to find the words, openly admitting how hard the decision has been.
She told viewers she still loves her job dearly but joked that she didn’t want to still be presenting forecasts with a Zimmer frame, unable to point at the Northern Isles.
Choosing Life Beyond Early Mornings
Originally from Morar on Scotland’s west coast near the Isle of Skye, Carol explained that her decision is rooted in wanting more time for herself and her personal life.
Having married police officer Steve Randall in late 2023, she said the couple often felt like “ships passing in the night” due to her demanding schedule.
Stepping away from the BBC means more shared time, travel plans, and space to focus on writing — something she’s already passionate about, with five novels published so far.
Keeping the Secret Close
Remarkably, Carol managed to keep her departure completely under wraps.
Even her closest friends and BBC Breakfast colleagues were unaware until she announced it live.
As emotions bubbled over, she smiled and admitted that while she has loved her career at the BBC, she loves her husband even more.
Turning to Sally and Jon, she confessed she hadn’t planned to get emotional — but couldn’t help it, calling them friends she loves dearly.
A Studio Full of Support
The moment quickly became one of warmth and affection.
Sally reached for Carol’s hand, Jon grabbed the tissues, and both presenters wrapped her in a heartfelt hug.
Sally even lightened the mood by pointing out one major perk of Carol’s decision — finally getting to enjoy a proper lie-in after decades of early starts.
A Career Filled With Memorable Moments
Carol’s BBC journey has been anything but ordinary.
Since becoming BBC Breakfast’s main weather presenter in 2010, she’s delivered forecasts from Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show, and Royal Ascot.
Her cheerful on-screen presence has seen her laugh off live TV mishaps, including being knocked over by dogs and accidentally referring to dog walkers in Greenwich Park as “doggers.”
From Behind the Scenes to Centre Screen
Her path into weather broadcasting wasn’t straightforward.
Carol started out as a production secretary and assistant at the BBC, briefly leaving the corporation to work in consultancy.
A leap of faith took her to the US, where she trained with The Weather Channel before returning to the UK to train with both the BBC and the Met Office.
She officially joined the BBC Weather Centre in 1998, quickly becoming a household name.
Personal Growth Through Life’s Challenges
Born Carol MacKellaig, she was previously married to property developer Jimmy Kirkwood.
Their separation in 2008, after nearly 20 years together, marked a painful chapter — one that sometimes saw her crying between forecasts.
Yet that period became transformative.
Carol later shared that the divorce helped her rediscover herself, pushing her to embrace life more boldly and say “yes” to new experiences, from flying with the Red Arrows to parachuting with the Red Devils.
Finding Love Again
Love found its way back into her life when she married Steve Randall in December 2023 at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire.
The couple now live together in Windsor.
Speaking to House Beautiful in 2024, Carol described Steve in glowing terms — kind, funny, charming, and a great cook — admitting she could talk about him endlessly and that his presence alone makes her happy.
Saying Goodbye With Gratitude
In a written statement, Carol described leaving the BBC as one of the toughest decisions she’s made but said it feels like the right moment.
She reflected on the privilege of bringing the weather into people’s homes every day and thanked her colleagues across BBC Breakfast and BBC Weather for their friendship and support.
She also expressed deep appreciation to viewers, saying being part of their mornings has been a joy she’ll always treasure.
What the BBC Had to Say
Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, praised Carol’s exceptional contribution to the organisation.
He highlighted her ability to deliver accurate and trusted forecasts with warmth and optimism, calling her a gold standard in broadcasting.
He added that she will be greatly missed across the BBC and wished her well for the future.
What’s Next?
For now, Carol Kirkwood is looking ahead to slower mornings, new adventures with her husband, more time to write, and a life not dictated by alarm clocks and weather maps.
While she may be stepping away from the BBC, her legacy as one of Britain’s most beloved weather presenters is firmly forecast to last.
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