Carol Kirkwood is a Scottish weather presenter known for her long-running role as the main weather anchor on BBC Breakfast. She gained public attention for her warm on-screen presence and her emotional departure from the BBC in March 2026 after 28 years with the corporation.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Carol Kirkwood (née MacKellaig)
Age: 63 (born 29 May 1962)
Nationality: Scottish
Occupation: Weather Presenter, Author
Known For: BBC Breakfast weather forecasting, Strictly Come Dancing contestant (2015)
Marital Status: Married to Steve Randall (since 2023)
Children: None
Early Life and Background
Born Carol MacKellaig on 29 May 1962 in Morar, Inverness-shire, Kirkwood was one of eight children raised by parents who ran a hotel in the Scottish Highlands. She attended Lochaber High School in Fort William before earning a BA in commerce from Napier College of Commerce and Technology (now Edinburgh Napier University).
Career and Achievements
Kirkwood began her broadcasting journey after graduation, joining the BBC’s secretarial reserve in London before presenting short slots on BBC Radio Scotland, Radio 2, and Radio 4 . Following her first marriage, she left the BBC and worked in recruitment and as a training consultant in Cheshire .
She returned to the BBC in 1993 as a freelance presenter and, after a stint at The Weather Channel in 1996, underwent meteorological training at the Met Office . In April 1998, she joined the BBC Weather Centre, initially appearing on the BBC News channel before becoming the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast in 2010 .
Throughout her career, Kirkwood has presented weather coverage from major events including Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show, and royal occasions . She has also reported for The One Show and, in 2015, competed in the thirteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching week seven with professional partner Pasha Kovalev before elimination .
Kirkwood’s contributions have earned her the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) award for Best TV Weather Presenter nine times, along with an Honorary Fellowship from Princess Anne in 2015 for her contributions to broadcasting .
Major Event or Controversy
While Kirkwood’s career has been largely free from controversy, she has spoken openly about personal challenges, including the heartbreak of being unable to have children despite trying fertility treatments during her first marriage . She has described maintaining her “sunny Carol” on-screen persona while privately dealing with emotional difficulties, sometimes needing to cry off-camera before reapplying her make-up .
Why She is in the News
Kirkwood presented her final weather forecast on BBC Breakfast on April 1, 2026, concluding a 28-year tenure at the BBC. Her departure was marked by an emotional on-air tribute featuring colleagues and a montage of memorable moments from her career. She announced in January 2026 that she was “choosing” to leave rather than being pushed, explaining she wanted to spend more time with her husband Steve, whom she married in 2023.
Conclusion
Carol Kirkwood leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of British television’s most trusted and beloved weather presenters. Her 28-year career at the BBC established her as a familiar presence in millions of homes, known for combining professional meteorological expertise with genuine warmth and connection to viewers. As she embarks on a “new chapter” focused on family and personal pursuits, her contribution to broadcast meteorology and her status as a Scottish broadcasting icon remain firmly secured.
