Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood fought back tears as she announced she would be leaving the BBC after more than 25 years. She will be leaving the broadcaster in April. Today, presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay asked her to join them on the sofa after she had presented one of her regular weather segments.
Carol shared: “So I’m going to be leaving. It’s really hard, really hard for me to say this. I love my job. I love you guys, my weather colleagues, every department I’ve worked with. And, of course, all the viewers I’ve been so engaged with for many years.”
She joined the BBC in 1998 and has played an integral role in major events, including reporting on the sunshine and showers at Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot. After an incredible TV career, Carol will now be spending more time with her husband Steve.
In her leaving speech, she said: “More time with Steve, my gorgeous husband. We only got married a couple of years ago and we’re ships that pass in the night. So I’m so looking forward to doing that.” She also said they want the opportunity to travel.
She has regularly shared insights into her relationship with partner Steve Randall, a police officer she married in 2021. Steve is 14 years younger than Carol. The presenter said people like to “make a fuss” about this.
Speaking about her fifth novel ‘Meet Me at Sunset’, published in July 2025, the 63-year-old told PA her husband is: “very romantic and very generous.” She added: “He’s just a lovely man. I pinch myself. I’m punching, I’m really punching.”
However Carol also shared Steve also believes he is the one “punching”.
Before the two were married, they were introduced as friends, Carol said it was “nice” getting to know him and described him as “kind”, as she discussed her novel.
In 2024, when asked if Steve was happy to move in to her house when they decided to live together, the 63-year-old told The Times: “I offered to sell my home so we could buy a place together, but he’s happy living here. He’s a keeper. He’s a very good cook and tidy as well, tidier than I am.”
Carol, who is also a best-selling author, said: “There’s so many things going on in the world, it’s nice just to stick your nose in a book and forget about it for a time.”
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant tries to look her “best” and stay “healthy”. Her reason for this is to have a “long life with my gorgeous husband, for as long as I can.”
The pair particularly enjoy holidaying in Mallorca, which also served as inspiration for Carol’s latest novel. She enjoys lengthy walks with Steve each weekend.
Steve proposed during a romantic picnic beside the River Thames close to the pair’s Berkshire residence. Just over a year afterwards, the couple exchanged vows in a celebration at Cliveden House in Berkshire.
During her stint on The One Show, she revealed to presenters Alex Jones and Anita Rani: “It was the perfect day, it was a small intimate wedding, it was beautiful and very romantic but there was a storm, can you believe it? Storm Gerrit.”