Carol Kirkwood “It Wasn’t an Easy Decision”
Beloved BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has announced she is leaving the corporation after decades on air. Kirkwood shared the news live on BBC Breakfast, becoming emotional as she thanked viewers and colleagues.
Speaking to presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, she said: “I didn’t want to get emotional, but you two are my friends and I love you dearly.”
Kirkwood revealed she made the decision to spend more time with her husband, adding: “I want to spend more time with my gorgeous husband Steve. We’re ships that pass in the night, so I’m really looking forward to that — and we want to travel as well.”
A Long and Successful BBC Career
Born in Morar on the west coast of Scotland, Kirkwood began her BBC career as a production secretary and production assistant on BBC Breakfast. She later presented on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4, before eventually moving to on-screen broadcasting.
After briefly leaving the BBC to work in recruitment and consultancy, she trained at The Weather Channel for its short-lived UK edition, before returning to the BBC. She then trained with the Met Office and joined the BBC Weather Centre in 1998, becoming one of the network’s best-known presenters.
Known for her warm personality, Kirkwood also became a viral favourite for light-hearted mishaps on air, including weather segments upstaged by dogs or accidental innuendos.
“It Wasn’t an Easy Decision”
Kirkwood said leaving had not been easy but felt like the right time: “I’ve loved my job, I’ve loved working at the BBC, but I love my husband more than my job. I’ll carry with me the most wonderful memories.”
Kirkwood married police officer Steve Randall in 2023, and now plans to focus on personal life and travel.
BBC News interim CEO Jonathan Munro praised Kirkwood’s contribution, saying she had made an “exceptional” impact:
“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.”
