Carol Kirkwood to Leave the BBC After More Than 25 Years

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

BBC Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood will leave the BBC in April, bringing to a close a career that has spanned more than 25 years and made her one of the corporation's most recognisable and well loved on screen figures.

Kirkwood joined the BBC in 1998 and quickly became a familiar presence across its output. She is best known for her work on BBC Breakfast, where she has delivered the weather to millions of viewers each morning with a combination of warmth, clarity and professionalism. Over the years she has become a trusted guide through everything from everyday forecasts to major national moments.

Her role has extended well beyond the studio. Kirkwood has reported on conditions at major events, including Wimbledon, where her forecasts have become part of the tournament's annual rhythm. She has also played an integral part in the BBC's coverage of changing weather patterns across the UK, explaining complex conditions in a way that remained accessible to viewers.

Reflecting on her decision to step away, Kirkwood described her time at the BBC as a privilege she never took for granted. She spoke warmly of her colleagues at BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and across the wider organisation, thanking them for their support and friendship. She also expressed her gratitude to viewers and listeners, saying that being part of their mornings had been a joy, and while the decision had not been easy, it felt like the right moment.

Jonathan Munro, Interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, praised Kirkwood's contribution to BBC News and BBC Weather, describing her work as exceptional. He highlighted her role in both major national events and the daily forecasts that form an important part of audience routines, noting that her delivery set a gold standard and would be greatly missed across the BBC.

Before joining the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998, Kirkwood received her meteorological training at The Weather Channel, the Met Office and the BBC. She began broadcasting on the BBC News channel before expanding her role to BBC One and other BBC outlets featuring weather. Since 2010 she has been the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast.

Her career has included regular outside broadcasts from events such as the Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot and royal occasions, alongside forecasts for major sporting fixtures including Wimbledon and leading UK golf tournaments. She has been recognised multiple times by the Television and Radio Industries Club, which has repeatedly named her Best TV Weather Presenter.

Beyond forecasting, Kirkwood has also reported for The One Show, taking part in a range of experiences from a tandem parachute jump with the Red Devils to a hang gliding flight. In 2015 she competed in Strictly Come Dancing, reaching week eight with her professional partner Pasha Kovalev.