Carol Kirkwood presented her final weather forecast for BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning. The 63-year-old, who has been working for the BBC for 28 years, was delighted when her husband Steve made a surprise appearance at the end of the programme.
"You told me you weren't coming in," said Carol, as Steve walked onto the set with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. "You're in trouble," she joked.
It was an emotional final show for Carol, who was fighting back tears at the end of the programme as she bid farewell to the viewers.
Addressing the camera, she said: "This is a forecast I've known for quite a while was coming, but that doesn't make it any 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.
© BBC"When I first walked into the studio, I could never have imagined the journey ahead. Back then, the graphics were simpler, the maps were clunkier and I had a lot less grey hair than this," she continued. "But one thing has never changed and that is the privilege and honour of being welcomed into your homes.
© Stephen Crawshaw / BACKGRIDCarol went on to thank viewers for trusting her. "You've been the constant in all of this and I've never taken you for granted," she said, before sharing her appreciation for her colleagues. "I owe you all so much, you've been my team, safety net and very often, my family."
"This job has given me so much more than a career, it's given me memories I will carry forever, friendships I treasure deeply and a front row seat to the incredible, unpredictable beauty of our weather, a subject I still love," said Carol.
As for her future plans, she said: "It's time for a new chapter, a bit more time with Steve and perhaps the luxury of watching the weather instead of presenting it. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives."
Carol's final show
Carol was joined by various colleagues at the end of the show, including hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, as well as Nina Warhurst, Naga Munchetty and several members of BBC staff.
© BBCThe weather presenter received several surprises during the programme, including a beautiful poem read out by actor Brian Cox in a pre-recorded clip and a large cake, decorated with rainbows and a ray of sunshine.
The presenter also welcomed another special guest onto the set: Flash the dog. In 2021, Carol was pulled to the ground by an excitable guide dog puppy named Flash, whose lead she was holding while delivering the latest weather updates.
© BBC"Hello, gorgeous. No pulling over today," joked Carol, who later revealed that she and husband Steve are planning to get some cats after she retires. "She's lovely. I love animals."
Elsewhere, in a pre-recorded video, cat-lover Carol was finally introduced to Larry, a domestic tabby cat who has served as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street since 2011.
"Oh my goodness, Larry is just a wee dreamboat. "He's gorgeous," said Carol, who had been waiting a long time to meet Larry.
During her final episode, Carol was shown a video montage of her career highlights, as well as messages from famous faces who have appeared on BBC Breakfast over the years and kind words from viewers posted on social media. She also received a video message from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who shared his "best wishes for the next chapter".
© BBC"I think I'm in denial, I'll probably rock up on Monday," Carol told hosts Sally and Jon.
"For 28 years, I've been getting up at quarter to three. It's going to be weird not speaking to all our lovely viewers, not seeing you everyday, not seeing the crew both in front and behind the camera," she continued, adding: "It's going to be different. I'm going to miss everyone horribly.
Why is Carol leaving the BBC
Carol's departure from the BBC was announced back in January.
At the time, the weather presenter explained that she hoped to spend more time with her husband Steve.
© Alamy Stock Photo"I want to spend more time with my gorgeous husband Steve," she said. "We're ships that pass in the night, so I'm really looking forward to doing that. We want to travel as well."
Carol and police officer Steve wed in 2023 in a fairytale winter wedding held at Cliveden House in Berkshire.
© Twitter"I've loved my job, I've loved working at the BBC," said Carol. "But I love my husband more than my job."
The BBC star added that the decision wasn't easy, but it felt like the right time to leave. "I'll carry with me the most wonderful memories," she said.
Carol's future plans
Alongside enjoying quality time with Steve, Carol has plenty of plans for the future. "I've still got my books, I've got other bits and pieces. I want to travel as well," said the published author, who has released a series of romance novels.
© Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesCarol's first novel, Under a Greek Moon, was published in 2021. The book climbed to number two on the Sunday Times bestsellers list and was quickly followed by the author's second release, The Hotel on the Riviera, in 2022. The following year, she published her third book, Secrets of The Villa Amore.
Since then, she has released two further romance novels and has an upcoming Christmas-themed book hitting the shelves in October.
