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Carol Kirkwood's 'sad' insight into divorce heartache as she exits BBC Breakfast
Reach Daily Express | April 1, 2026 10:40 PM CST

Carol Kirkwood, who presented her final weather forecast on BBC Breakfast today, previously spoke candidly about her divorce heartache, acknowledging that it's "sad" when "relationships break down". The Scottish weather broadcaster made her exit from BBC Breakfast today (April 1), concluding an impressive 28-year stint with the corporation.

Earlier on, the 63-year-old delivered her final forecast and said goodbye to viewers. Sitting on the BBC Breakfast sofa alongside her colleagues, an emotional Carol observed that it was "time for a new chapter". She said: "As for what comes next, well for once I don't have a detailed forecast but I do know this - it's time for a new chapter. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives." Carol confirmed her plans to depart the Beeb in a heartfelt statement in January, though acknowledged that it had "not been an easy decision to make".

This followed after the Met Office-trained forecaster suggested that she was considering stepping back from her BBC position to spend more time with her husband, Steve Randall.

Carol disclosed that they "plan to escape and travel for some time when we retire", either by camper van or car, noting that they intend to "cross over to France and just drive". She married police officer Steve in 2023, but was formerly wed to property developer Jimmy Kirkwood, whom she divorced in 2008 after 18 years.

However, Carol's choice to progress with Steve marks a significantly happier period for her, given she has discussed the difficulties she encountered following the collapse of her first marriage, remarking that it's "always sad when that happens." She previously revealed that during this period, she maintained her cheerful on-screen persona while presenting on television, even though she needed to shed some tears away from the cameras.

Carol proposed that there "isn't such a thing as a 'perfect romance'" and offered insight into her past relationship, recognising it's tough when things conclude. Speaking to Woman's Way, she stated: "I love hearing about how people meet. I feel sad when relationships break down. I was married before, and we got divorced, and it's always sad when that happens."

"But of course, there isn't such a thing - I don't think - as a perfect romance, where you're never going to fall out or have cross words. Of course you are, that's life." Carol, who is a published author, has also featured on the immensely popular Strictly Come Dancing and The One Show. Carol previously detailed how her career aided her in coping during the divorce, enabling her to compartmentalise her 'grief'.

During an interview with Yours magazine, Carol revealed that she maintained this element "separate" from her career; otherwise, she might have ended up in a "puddle of tears". Nevertheless, Carol has also heaped praise on her "lovely" partner, Steve, whom she characterised as "very romantic and very generous," in an interview with PA.

Carol previously stunned her BBC Breakfast colleagues when she divulged details about her former jobs. At the time, she was questioned about her summer holiday work during her youth. She disclosed: "I worked as a housemaid, as a waitress, as a receptionist, all these things!" BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay responded with: "You did everything!"

However, that wasn't all. Carol, who also appeared in The A to Z of TV Gardening, proceeded to acknowledge that she'd undertaken another position that was vastly different from her glamorous role as a television weather presenter. She admitted: "Plus, a post woman as well! In Edinburgh." She then described how the job had an unforeseen drawback; it would leave her feeling hungry in the mornings. Carol outlined how she would "smell toast, bacon, sausages" while completing her deliveries. Discussing her future plans with Steve, Carol revealed: "We fell in love with Majorca, which is where we went so I could research my fifth novel, Meet Me at Sunset, about a woman running away from a shattered love affair. "Steve and I also plan to escape and travel for some time when we retire, perhaps in a year or two. We'll either travel in a camper van, or get in the car, cross over to France and just drive."


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