Carol Kirkwood has recently stood away from BBC Breakfast, but in a candid interview, the star has opened up about her secret hidden heartbreak

arol Kirkwood has sadly stepped away from BBC Breakfast after 28 years, and viewers have seen the presenter go through the highs and lows with both the weather and her personal life.

However, the veteran TV star has revealed in a new interview with the Mail, that there was one piece of heartbreak that she kept private from the viewers, and that was her inability to welcome her own children.

The star came from a large family, being the sixth of eight children, and confided with the publication: “No cause was ever discovered for our unexplained infertility.” But in her signature cheery manner, she then found the bright side, adding: “I couldn’t have achieved half of what I’ve done if I’d had children at home.”

Reflecting on why she decided to hang up her microphone, Carol admitted: “I’ve so enjoyed my time at the BBC; I’d been working there for 28 years. I love my job, but in the end, I love my husband more. And now we’ve got this great big, wide world opening up ahead of us, and while we’re still both fit and healthy, we’re really looking forward to exploring it.”

Carol also gave an insight into her plans with her husband, Steve, who recently retired, revealing that the pair are heading off to Italy. However, as for whether she might appear on any other TV shows in the future, she admitted that she’d give Celebrity Traitors “some thought” before admitting that due to her schedule, she had never been able to tune in for the show.

Carol’s final show

The presenter’s final edition aired on 1 April, and she was in bits when her husband made a surprise appearance on the show. “You told me you weren’t coming in,” said Carol, as Steve walked onto the set with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. “You’re in trouble,” she joked.

The presenter was visibly emotional as she gave her final forecast, as she shared: “This is a forecast I’ve known for quite a while was coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier to present because after 28 years as a BBC weather presenter, tracking storms, chasing sunshine and occasionally, getting it completely wrong, I’m saying goodbye.

© BBC
Carol has now presented her final show

“When I first walked into the studio, I could never have imagined the journey ahead. Back then, the graphics were simpler, the maps were clunkier and I had a lot less grey hair than this,” she continued. “But one thing has never changed and that is the privilege and honour of being welcomed into your homes.

She concluded: “You’ve been the constant in all of this, and I’ve never taken you for granted. I owe you all so much, you’ve been my team, safety net and very often, my family.

© BBC
The star was joined by her husband

“This job has given me so much more than a career, it’s given me memories I will carry forever, friendships I treasure deeply and a front row seat to the incredible, unpredictable beauty of our weather, a subject I still love.

“It’s time for a new chapter, a bit more time with Steve and perhaps the luxury of watching the weather instead of presenting it. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives.”