Carol Kirkwood has bid farewell to three decades of presenting the weather on BBC Breakfast with an emotional final forecast on Wednesday. After 30 incredible years on air, the 63-year-old is now looking forward to a new chapter in her life, which includes plenty of relaxation and adventure with her husband, Steve Randall, 49.

Having spent her career prioritizing work, Carol now plans to focus on herself. The much-loved weather presenter is heading into retirement, and she and Steve, a policeman, are looking forward to travelling across Europe together. Carol says goodbye to the 2:45 a.m. wake-up call for good, and is excited about spending quality time with her husband after years of being focused on her career.

Carol has already shared snippets of her retirement life with fans, having joined Instagram in January. The posts reveal glimpses of the peaceful lifestyle she is now embracing. She recently shared that she was most excited about no longer having to wake up at the crack of dawn and, instead, being able to enjoy more time with Steve.

The couple, who tied the knot in December 2023, are eager to explore Europe together. “We’ve got lots of things planned,” Carol shared in her final on-screen moments. “Lots of travels.” Their plans include road trips through scenic spots, leaving behind the pressures of her former career.

The two married in a beautiful ceremony at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire, and Carol has expressed how much her marriage to Steve has enriched her life. “If he’s at home, I’m happy. I don’t need anything else,” she said of her husband. “He’s tall, handsome, kind, gentle, strong, funny, charming. He’s a gentleman. He’s good at cooking. I could wax lyrical about Steve forever.”

Carol and Steve’s relationship marks a new beginning for Carol, following her divorce from property developer Jimmy Kirkwood in 2008. She admitted that the divorce helped her discover a new side of herself. “I found myself when I got divorced. I started to do things and to think, ‘I’m not going to say no, I’m going to say yes!’” Carol revealed, reflecting on how much personal growth she experienced after the end of her marriage.

As Carol leaves the show that has made her a household name, she’s been met with emotional tributes from her colleagues. Her final broadcast was filled with love from her fellow BBC Breakfast presenters, including Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, who have worked with Carol for years. “You’ve been the constant in all of this, and I’ve never taken that for granted,” she said, acknowledging the support and affection of her colleagues. “Thank you for trusting me, be it telling you about heatwaves or snow, to big national events and the everyday question of: ‘Do I need to take a brolly?’”

Looking back on her career, Carol remembered some of the most memorable moments, including her coverage of major events like Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show, and the poppies at the Tower of London. She also shared funny stories of live broadcasts, such as when she was dragged to the ground by dogs or made a gaffe involving a “doggers” comment. Despite these mishaps, Carol’s sunny personality has always shone through.

Now, with her retirement on the horizon, Carol is embracing her new lifestyle with open arms. She’s excited to finally have the freedom to explore the world with Steve, without the constraints of her early mornings. “It’s going to be weird, it’s going to be weird not speaking to all our lovely audience, not seeing the crew both in front and behind the camera,” she admitted. “But I’m ready for this new chapter.”

Carol’s journey at the BBC began in the late 1990s when she first joined as a production assistant before training as a meteorologist. She went on to become one of the BBC’s most beloved faces, bringing weather updates to millions of viewers every morning. In 2015, she became a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, where she captured hearts with her dance moves and charming personality.

Carol’s decision to retire was a deeply personal one. She shared that while she loved her job, her priorities have shifted. “I love my job, but I love my husband more than my job,” she said during her announcement in January. Now, she’s ready to spend more time with Steve and enjoy the freedom that retirement offers.

With a new chapter beginning, Carol’s fans will undoubtedly miss her presence on BBC Breakfast, but her decision to embrace retirement shows that there’s always time for personal growth, love, and new adventures.

Carol’s retirement marks the end of an era, but her story is far from over. She’s now free to explore the world, make lasting memories, and continue to enjoy life with the man she loves. Fans can look forward to seeing more of Carol’s peaceful retirement life on her Instagram, as she shares her new adventures with her followers.

Read more about Carol’s dream retirement plans and the end of her iconic BBC career here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/