BBC Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, one of the most beloved faces on British television, has announced that she plans to step away from the screen in just a couple of years — when she turns 65.

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said her December wedding was ‘blissful’ and ‘romantic’ (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Archive)

After decades of waking up the nation with her warm smile and expert forecasts, the Scottish-born star says she is ready to close one chapter of her life and begin another, far away from the cameras.

“The Time Feels Right”

Speaking candidly about her future, Carol explained that she doesn’t plan to work forever. Instead, she wants to savor life, travel, and enjoy the freedom she’s worked hard to earn.

“I’ve had the most incredible career, and it’s been such a privilege to be part of people’s mornings for so long,” she said. “But when I hit 65, that feels like the right time to step back, take a deep breath, and focus on what comes next.”

For Carol, “what comes next” is not just about quiet mornings and leisurely afternoons — it’s about adventure. Together with her younger husband, whom she affectionately refers to as her “toyboy,” the couple plan to take off on a long journey across Europe.

From sipping coffee in Parisian cafés to exploring the Italian countryside and watching sunsets on the Greek islands, Carol is determined to embrace every moment of freedom with the man she loves.

“He’s been such a source of joy and support in my life,” she shared. “We want to see the world together, not rush through it — but really live it.”

A Legacy of Sunshine

Carol first joined the BBC in the 1990s and quickly became a household name, admired not only for her weather reports but for her warmth, humor, and grace under pressure. Over the years, she has weathered storms both on screen and in her personal life — including divorce, public scrutiny, and online abuse — but always with resilience and optimism.

Her decision to retire won’t come as a shock to colleagues, many of whom say Carol has been hinting at wanting more “me time” in recent months. Still, for viewers who have grown up with her presence on BBC Breakfast, the thought of mornings without Carol’s sunshine will be bittersweet.

A Bright Future

While Carol admits she will miss her team and the viewers, she insists she won’t miss the 3:30 a.m. alarms that come with being a breakfast  TV presenter.

“I think I’ve earned a few long lie-ins,” she laughed.

As Carol Kirkwood prepares to leave behind a career that has defined her for decades, she’s doing so on her own terms — with excitement, love, and a passport ready for stamps.

And for her millions of fans, one thing is certain: just like the weather she’s reported on all these years, Carol’s next chapter promises sunshine ahead.