Carol Kirkwood delivered her final BBC Breakfast weather forecast on April 1 after nearly three decades on screen, according to multiple reports. She announced her departure from the program in January, citing a desire to spend more time with her husband, police officer Steve Randall, according to multiple reports. During her final show, her husband Steve made an unexpected appearance with flowers, organized by the BBC Breakfast team and Steve, multiple reports indicate. Kirkwood reflected on her career, stating she found it a difficult decision but the right moment to step away, and expressed her affection for colleagues and viewers, according to multiple reports.
On-air tributes and viewer reactions highlighted Kirkwood's impact, with BBC Breakfast airing a tribute montage featuring messages from Judy Murray, Bryan Adams, and Clare Balding, according to multiple reports. Co-presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay received thousands of heartfelt messages from the public for Kirkwood before her final broadcast, multiple reports indicate. However, co-presenter Naga Munchetty made a jokey dig at Kirkwood during her final moments, saying she was waiting for the countdown for Kirkwood to go, according to Daily Mail - Home. Some viewers criticized Munchetty for not giving a solo tribute to Kirkwood and instead making that remark, according to viewer reports. Nugent set a warm tone earlier, telling Kirkwood that viewers should stay watching for news about her departure, to which Kirkwood confirmed she was leaving, according to multiple reports.
Kirkwood's departure follows recent health struggles, as she suffered from serious food poisoning in early 2025, leading to weight loss of about one and a half dress sizes and a lifestyle reassessment, according to multiple reports. She now fits into a size 10, occasionally an 8, after her weight loss, multiple reports indicate. Kirkwood denied using weight-loss injections, stating she received emails accusing her of it, according to multiple reports. The specific health issues or lifestyle changes resulting from her food poisoning beyond weight loss remain unclear, as details have not been publicly disclosed. Kirkwood hinted at her reasons for leaving, joking about not wanting to return on a zimmer frame, according to multiple reports.
Kirkwood's personal life has been a focus, as she married Steve Randall on December 27, 2023, according to multiple reports. Her husband Steve is 50 years old, making him 13 years younger than her, multiple reports indicate. Kirkwood was previously married to cricketer Jimmy Kirkwood from 1990 to 2008, according to multiple reports. Steve Randall was previously married to Nichola Randall for 12 years, divorcing in 2017, and they share a teenage son, multiple reports indicate.
I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go!
In retirement, Kirkwood plans to travel with her husband, possibly in a camper van or by car to France, according to multiple reports. She lives in a £2 million home in Berkshire with Steve Randall, multiple reports indicate. Kirkwood expressed her intentions to spend more time with her husband and travel, with other projects like books, according to multiple reports. The exact details of her future travel plans, including destinations and duration, are not yet known, nor are other projects she might pursue beyond books.
In a separate incident, BBC news presenter Amanda Harper was trolled for wearing leather trousers described as unflattering and too tight in an Instagram post ahead of her appearance on BBC Look North in February, according to multiple reports. Harper responded to the trolling with a defiant video on Instagram, stating the trousers were staying and she might wear them more often, according to multiple reports. The nature and extent of the online trolling Harper faced, including the number of comments or specific platforms involved, have not been confirmed, and the BBC's official response or stance on the incident remains unknown.
Kirkwood's long career at BBC Breakfast spans over 25 years, according to research. She trained in meteorology at The Weather Channel, research indicates. Her tenure has been marked by consistent presence and viewer engagement, with colleagues expressing deep affection; Kirkwood told Nugent and Kay she loved them dearly, and Kay replied with similar affection, according to multiple reports.
During Kirkwood's final show, personal moments and gifts added to the emotional send-off, as Naga Munchetty gave Kirkwood a painting of Little Miss Sunshine as a gift, according to multiple reports. The gesture complemented the floral surprise from her husband, highlighting the close-knit environment of the program. Nugent summarized the mood, saying the outlook for Kirkwood was like sunshine all the way, according to multiple reports.
Unknowns persist regarding Kirkwood's health and lifestyle changes post-food poisoning, as the full impact beyond weight loss has not been detailed. Additionally, the specifics of her travel plans and other retirement projects remain to be seen. Kirkwood described expecting to be in denial about leaving after 28 years of early mornings and missing the audience, viewers, crew, and colleagues, according to Daily Express - Showbiz.