Carol Kirkwood, a familiar face on BBC Breakfast for nearly three decades, presented her final weather forecast on April 1, 2026, according to multiple reports. The 62-year-old meteorologist, who joined the BBC more than 25 years ago, announced her departure in January 2026, fighting back tears as she revealed her decision to leave. She said the decision was not easy but felt like the right moment to step away, according to www.edinburghlive.co.uk. Kirkwood thanked her colleagues and viewers for their support, adding that she has loved every minute of her tenure.
During her final show, Kirkwood's husband Steve Randall made a surprise appearance with flowers, as reported by multiple sources. Co-presenter Naga Munchetty made a jokey dig, saying, according to Daily Mail - Home, that she was 'just waiting for the countdown for you to go!' Some viewers criticized Munchetty's comment, suggesting she and Kirkwood did not get on, but others saw it as affectionate banter. Kirkwood married Randall, who is 13 years her junior, on December 27, 2023.
Kirkwood has been open about her health and weight loss journey. According to multiple reports, she suffered from food poisoning in early 2025, which led to a weight loss of about one and a half dress sizes. She now fits into a size 10, occasionally size 8. Kirkwood denied using weight-loss injections, according to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz.
I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go!
Looking ahead, Kirkwood plans to spend time with her husband, whom she married a couple of years ago, according to www.edinburghlive.co.uk. She also has books and other projects, and wants to travel, she said. Kirkwood trained in meteorology at The Weather Channel before joining the BBC. She said she expects to 'rock up on Monday' after her departure, according to Daily Express - Showbiz, suggesting she may remain involved in some capacity.
In other BBC news, Amanda Harper, a presenter on BBC Look North, was trolled for wearing leather trousers on air, according to multiple reports. Harper hit back at critics in a defiant video, saying 'the trousers stay.' Meanwhile, BBC South West weather presenter Alex Osborne is leaving the BBC to join ITV, with his final day on May 4, according to multiple reports.
The exact date of Kirkwood's final appearance has been reported as April 1, 2026, but some references suggest it may have been in April 2025, creating confusion about the timeline. Similarly, her exact length of service at the BBC is unclear, with some sources saying nearly three decades and others specifying 28 years. It remains unknown whether Kirkwood will return to the BBC in any capacity after her departure, and the specific projects she is planning have not been detailed. The reason for Alex Osborne's move to ITV has also not been disclosed.