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

Carol Kirkwood fought back tears while addressing the nation before retiring from the BBC.

“This is a forecast I’ve known for quite a while was coming, but that doesn’t make it easier to present because after 28 years as s a BBC weather presenter, tracking storms, chasing sunshine and occasionally getting it completely wrong, I’m saying goodbye. When I first walked into this studio, I could never have imagined the journey ahead.

“Back then, the graphics were simpler, the maps were clunkier and I had a lot less grey hair than I do, but one thing has never changed, and that is the privilege and honour of being welcomed into your homes. Thank you for trusting me – you’ve been the constant in all of this and I’ve never taken that for granted. I’m really going to miss you.

“As for what comes next, for once I don’t have a detailed forecast – but I do know this: it’s time for a new chapter and perhaps the luxury of watching the weather instead of presenting it. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.”

“You told me you weren’t coming in! You’re in trouble,” Carol jokes while being presented with a huge bunch of flowers from her husband, police officer Steve Randall.

Steve says it’s going to be “the best thing ever” to have Carol at home more – and not just because he also wakes up at 2.45am to make his wife a cuppa while she gets ready to go into the studio.

Naga Munchetty swings by to say goodbye to Carol – and deploys her usual wry tone when celebrating the weather host.

“I’m just waiting for the countdown for you to go!” she quips before presenting her with a painting by Mr Men’s illustrator Adam Hargreaves, depicting Carol as – you guessed it – Little Miss Sunshine.

“I will treasure this!” she says, holding back tears.

In what could be the most random celebration yet, Scottish actor Brian Cox is reading a poem written by Carol’s BBC colleague Patrick Gearey.

I’d personally give the poem a solid three out of five.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent Carol Kirkwood “best wishes for the next chapter” and praised her “sunny disposition” in a video message (that she definitely didn’t enjoy as much as the one she got from Bryan Adams earlier in the episode).

She’s met high-profile stars over the years, but one star that she’s failed to meet is, um… Larry the Cat, the tabby cat residing at 10 Downing Street. But this was rectified earlier this week.

“I’m in love!” she declared. “What a lovely wee man. He was a delight. He’s so soft. He’s the perfect gentleman.”

…and it played out like any other segment she’s presented for the last 28 years. After telling the UK to prepare for cold and windy weather, hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay applauded her, telling her it was “perfect”.

“Shame about the weather, though,” Kay added.

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Flash, the dog that famously yanked Carol out of shot at Chelsea Flower Show in 2021, was brought into the studio for the outgoing weather presenter’s final show – and proceeded to whip her with her wagging tail.

“I’m gonna have a bruise,” Carol quipped. “Again!” host Sally Nugent replied.

Moving words from host Jon Kay:

“There are dozens and dozens of people in the gallery on the studio floor, in the newsroom, and you mean just as much to all of them. You’ve set the tone, you really have, for all of us on this programme over the years. Your legacy will continue. We will be more Carol.”

It’s a very special occasion when ITV and BBC coalesce – and that happened for Carol’s final episode. Former BBC Breakfast host Susanna Reid sent a tribute from the studio where she films rival breakfast show Good Morning Britain.

“Remember the time I was sitting alongside Bill Turnbull and you told us we were going to experience temperatures of 99 degrees celsius across the UK, causing a slightly bemused nation to wonder how to dress for the day ahead!”