Legendary weather presenter Carol Kirkwood’s final BBC Breakfast appearance has left some fans utterly befuddled at the extravagant goodbye.
The widely-loved TV personality is bowing out after a 28-year-long career bringing the forecast to households across the nation and reporting live from major events like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Wimbledon.
In January, she tearfully announced her retirement, sharing: ‘This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but it feels like the right moment to step away. I’ll carry with me the most wonderful memories.
Calling the job an ‘absolute privilege’, she concluded: ‘To those watching and listening at home – thank you for all the kindness you have shown me over the years, being part of your mornings has been a joy.’
She plans to continue writing her bestselling romance novel series and doing plenty of travel alongside her husband Steve with her newfound free time – especially since she can finally switch off the 2:45am alarm.
Her final episode on Wednesday, April 1 – presented by Jon Kay and Sally Nugent – saw an extremely intense farewell to the ‘national treasure’, which took up plenty of the airtime to some viewers’ confusion.
To name just a few things that happened, she received a flurry of tributes from friends and co-stars, including Susanna Reid, Summer of 69 singer Bryan Adams and Steph McGovern.
Other stars with messages for the veteran broadcaster included Sue Barker, Zoe Ball, Paul Merton, Chris Evans, Judy Murray, Sir Chris Hoy and Vicky McClure.
As well as montages looking back at her most iconic moments from presenting with Hacker T Dog to braving ankle-deep snow.
At the end of her final forecast, Sally and Jon applauded her off stage, with the rest of the episode dedicated to saying goodbye. We saw a pre-recorded clip of Carol making a lifelong dream come true to meet Number 10’s most well-loved resident, Larry the Cat.
Next, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (yes, you read that right) sent his own video message congratulating her on her ‘truly remarkable career’. Followed by award-winning actor Brian Cox reciting a bespoke poem about her to clips of her on TV over the years.
Several of her BBC Breakfast co-stars then appeared on the red sofa to share their favourite memories (and a personalised Little Miss Sunshine illustration); her husband arrived to deliver flowers, and she shared a teary final speech – all over the course of half an hour.
‘Feel like I’m intruding on Carol’s leaving do,’ myrhdrr wrote on X.
‘Really over the top now,’ Susan shared.
‘I wish her the best for a happy retirement and all that, but you could be forgiven for thinking Carol Kirkwood had developed a cure for cancer and brokered world peace, the way they’re going on this morning,’ Adrian Gosling reflected.
‘New low for BBC Breakfast – getting Keir Starmer on to wish Carol Kirkwood well. She’s great and all, but this could all have been done off-air. We’ve had a whole month of this,’ leftwingmot reflected.
‘Is Carol Kirkwood leaving BBC Breakfast the biggest April Fool’s joke ever? Up there with the spaghetti trees perhaps?’ Alison added.
On the whole, several fans were sharing just how sad they are to see her go.
‘Carol Kirkwood is a lovely presenter and a pleasure to watch. She will be missed,’ Gill Clarke shared on X.
‘Good luck Carol Kirkwood… she’s a national treasure and BBC Breakfast won’t be the same without her,’ Binwah added.
‘I can’t believe it’s the last day of Carol Kirkwood presenting the weather on BBC Breakfast. She will be missed after 28 years with the BBC, but have fun with your family [Carol] and enjoy the lie-ins,’ Welsh_lady2 echoed.
‘Carol Kirkwood is a legend in terms of weather presenters! I hate change and I know that none can or will live up to Carol’s presence on screen! It’s the end of an era sadly,’ Kaz045 agreed.
‘It’s the end of a TV era, as Carol Kirkwood presents her last weather forecast for the BBC after 25 years [Carol] you’ll be missed,’ Martin Youldon reflected.
‘Lovely send-off for BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood as she delivers her last forecast after 28 years of rain and shine. A beautiful person inside and out, she also has a cracking sense of humour,’ Francis Keogh added.
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