BBC Breakfast weather presenter to leave after 25 years

Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood is to leave the BBC after more than 25 years.

The 63-year-old became emotional as he announced his decision on BBC Breakfast, saying it was “really hard for me to say this because I love my job.”

Kirkwood, who joined the BBC in 1998, said he would be leaving in April and had “loved every minute of it”.

After her usual morning forecast, she joined her presenting partners on the Breakfast couch and told them she was looking forward to spending more time with her husband and going traveling.

Kirkwood hugged hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent and said: “I didn’t mean to get emotional, but you two are my friends and I love you so much.”

But she explained: “I want to spend more time with my amazing husband Steve.

“We just got married a few years ago and we’re ships in the night, so I’m really looking forward to doing that. We want to travel too.

She added: “I loved my job, I loved working at the BBC, but I love my husband more than my job.”

When asked about the end of early morning starts, he joked: “What’s the lie? I have no idea. Alarm clocks will be a thing of the past.”

“This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but it feels like the right moment to step away,” he said. “I will carry the best memories with me.”

Kirkwood trained in meteorology at The Weather Channel, the Met Office and the BBC before joining the BBC Weather Center in April 1998.

He began broadcasting on BBC News and continued to appear regularly on BBC One. He has been BBC Breakfast’s main weather presenter since 2010.

Kirkwood said it was “an absolute privilege” to bring viewers the weather every day.

“My job is something I never take for granted and I have loved every minute of it,” he said.

“To those watching and listening at home, thank you for the kindness you have shown me over the years, it has been a pleasure to be a part of your mornings.”

As well as daily bulletins, Kirkwood frequently presented on-site weather forecasts from events such as Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show and royal events.

She has also been a correspondent on The One Show and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, reaching week eight with partner Pasha Kovalev.

Kirkwood has received many industry awards throughout his career, including being repeatedly named best TV weather presenter at the TV and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Awards.

Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive of BBC News, said Kirkwood had made an “extraordinary” contribution to the company.

“From major national moments to the daily forecasts that are a crucial part of our viewers’ lives, it has set the gold standard for our accurate, valuable journalism, always presented with an appropriately sunny perspective,” he said.

“He will be greatly missed by the team at the BBC. We wish him all the best for the future.”