“At last, this day has come!” — Carol Kirkwood broke down in tears live on air as she announced her departure from the BBC after more than 25 years of service. Through her tears, she forced a smile while hugging her colleagues goodbye—but the moment the cameras stopped rolling and the attention faded, Carol unexpectedly revealed an eight-word sentence that left everyone stunned, finally realizing the true reason behind her bittersweet decision to leave.

BBC weather legend Carol Kirkwood fought back tears as she revealed today that she will leave BBC in April after more than 25 years with the broadcaster.

The 63-year-old struggled to get her words out as she announced the news on BBC Breakfast this morning – immediately after delivering the latest on Storm Chandra.

Met Office-trained Carol choked up as she joined presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay on the programme’s sofa and 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!”.’

Carol, who hails from Morar on the west coast of Scotland near the Isle of Skye, says she plans to spend amore time with her husband, police officer Steve Randall, whom she wed at the end of 2023.

‘We only got married a couple of years ago and we’re ships that pass in the night so I’m so looking forward to doing that,’ she said, adding that the pair hope to travel, and she will be able to spend more time writing novels, having already published five.

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.’

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 Kirkwood pictured with her husband, police officer Steve Randall, in January 2023 – shortly after announcing her engagement. They wed in December that year

Carol competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 with Pasha Kovalev, ultimately finishing 10th in week eight

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

Carol with Naga Munchetty, Jon Kay and Sally Nugent cutting a cake to celebrate 40 years of BBC Breakfast in 2023

Carol’s sunny disposition and endless charm won her millions of fans – and industry plaudits

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.’