Carol Kirkwood’s last forecast live: BBC Weather legend retires after nearly 30 years

She is set to host final weather update on ‘BBC Breakfast’ this morning
It might be April Fools’ Day, but Carol Kirkwood is actually leaving the BBC after almost 30 years – and it’s no prank.

Kirkwood, 63, will be hosting 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 TV star told the BBC she “can’t believe this day has come”, having first announced the news in January .

She called it “the right moment to step away” – but said her decision to leave wasn’t “an easy” one to make.

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.

Find updates from Kirkwood’s final weather broadcast below.

Who'll be stepping into Carol's shoes?

There’s currently no official word on who’ll be replacing Carol Kirkwood full-time on BBC Breakfast, but there are a few contenders.

Recognisable BBC Weather stars Tomasz Schafernaker Helen Willetts, Simon King and Sarah Keith-Lucas are in the running.

However, the odds are predicting meteorologist Matt Taylor is the one for the job.

He’s been part of the BBC’s Weather Centre since 2004, thanks to his long-standing background within the BBC and familiarity with viewers.

“When you go to an event with Carol, it is a little bit like being with the Queen,” BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent says.

“She just does get mobbed and I’d trail behind her like a lady-in-waiting carrying her bags.”
Weather station named after Carol Kirkwood
In what could be the highest honour for a weather enthusiast like Carol, RHS Garden Wisley announced this week it would rename its weather station after the host.

Carol Kirkwood's funniest moment?

It’s been mentioned a few times this morning, but it could be from 2021 when Carol was presenting from the Chelsea Flower Show.

While presenting a segment alongside guide dog Flash, the pooch got overexcited and ran away, pulling Carol offscreen.

It’s a brilliant moment highlighting Carol’s willingness to roll with whatever live TV threw her way - and always with a smile.

Bryan Adams sends surprise farewell message
Carol’s jaw dropped when she saw she’d received a message from “Summer of ‘69” singer Bryan Adams.

Carol 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 hosty 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.”
'You have changed the way weather has been reported on television'
The Chelesa Flower Show, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, The poppies at the Tower of London: these are just a few of the places Carol Kirkwood has presented the weather from.

The weather host is presented with a sweet tribute from stars Sue Barker, Zoe Ball, Paul Merton, Chris Evans, Judy Murray, Sir Chris Hoy and Vicky McClure – the star of her favourite TV show Line of Duty .

Clare Balding says it’ll be nice to have Carol at Wimbledon next year, but sitting in the royal box.

Celebrations ahead for Carol's final episode
“We’ve got some special treats for the last couple of hours,” Sally Nugent teased before Jon Kay read a touching message from one of the weather host’s fans – in Holland!

“What a beautiful message,” Kirkwood beamed, before turning her attention to the matter at hand.

“The weather’s not quite so beautiful for the next few days, sadly.

Bringing the tone down once again.”
'Alarm clocks will be a thing of the past!'
Carol Kirkwood woke up at the terribly early time of 2.45am to make it into the BBC Breakfast studios in time.

But now she’s retiring, she can look forward to getting more sleep – and she’ll have one less thing to do every night.

“Alarm clocks will be a thing of the past!” she told the BBC.

“What is a lie in?

I have no idea.”
She added that she’s “in denial” about not having to wake up early.

“It’s going to be so weird – for 28 years, I’ve been waking up at quarter to three!

Why did Carol Kirkwood decide to retire?

When Carol Kirkwood announced she was leaving the BBC back in January, the weather host shed some light on the reason behind her decision – and it came down to family commitments.

"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 doing that.

We want to travel as well," she said of police officer Steve Randall, whom she married in 2023.

"I've loved my job, I've loved working at the BBC – but I love my husband more than my job."
Carol Kirkwood made BBC debut 28 years ago
Nobody could have quite predicted the enduring face Carol Kirkwood would become for the BBC when she made her modest debut on 28 April 1998.

She joined BBC News as weather host after being trained under the guidance of the corporation at the Met Office .

Before becoming a weather presenter, she had presented short slots on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4 in the 1980s – but paused her broadcasting career following her marriage to cricketer Jimmy Kirkwood.

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