After more than two decades of choosing dignified silence in the face of relentless online cruelty, BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has finally spoken out — and the response from viewers has been overwhelming support.

In a candid, unfiltered interview with The Times published on February 14, 2026, the 63-year-old broadcaster addressed the years of “dreadful” abuse she has endured about her age, appearance, voice, and perceived worth. Kirkwood, who has presented the weather on BBC Breakfast since 1998, revealed she regularly receives vicious emails and social-media messages accusing her of being “too old,” “past it,” “mutton dressed as lamb,” or simply “not good enough” for morning television.

“Some of the emails are truly dreadful,” she said. “They attack my looks, my voice, my age — things I can’t change and wouldn’t want to. But I read them, I feel them, and then I put them aside. Because the next morning I still show up, I still smile, and I still own that screen.”

The decision to speak out came after a particularly vicious wave of comments following her most recent birthday in February 2026. Rather than retreating, Kirkwood chose defiance. “Call me what you like,” she declared. “I’ve been doing this job for 28 years. I’ve got a wonderful new husband [Steve Randall, married in 2023], I’ve got my health, I’ve got my friends, and I’ve got a job I still love. Age is just a number — and I’m not going anywhere.”

Kirkwood also opened up about the deeper toll of the abuse. She revealed that the loss of close friends in recent years — including several colleagues and personal confidants — has given her a sharper perspective on what truly matters. “When you lose people you love, the petty comments online start to feel very small,” she said. “I’ve learned that life is too short to let strangers in my inbox steal my joy. I show up every day because I want to — not because I have to prove anything to anyone.”

The interview struck a powerful chord. Within hours, #WeLoveCarol and #CarolKirkwood trended on X, with thousands of viewers sharing messages of support, gratitude, and solidarity. Fellow BBC presenters — including Naga Munchetty, Charlie Stayt, and Jon Kay — posted heartfelt tributes. Naga wrote: “Carol is the heartbeat of Breakfast. Age cannot dim her warmth, her professionalism or her brilliance. We are lucky to have her.” Fans echoed the sentiment: “She’s been part of our mornings for decades. Trolls don’t get to decide her worth.”

Kirkwood’s resilience has also reignited broader conversations about ageism in broadcasting — particularly toward women. At 63, she remains one of the few female presenters over 60 in a prominent morning slot, and her continued presence challenges outdated industry biases. “I’m proud to still be here,” she said. “If my being on screen helps one woman feel that age is not a barrier, then it’s worth every cruel email.”

She ended the interview on a characteristically upbeat note: “I’ve got the best job in the world. I get to talk about the weather — something that affects every single person in the country — and I get to do it with a smile. That’s a privilege. And no troll is going to take that away from me.”

For a woman who has spent nearly three decades delivering calm forecasts amid storms both literal and figurative, Kirkwood’s words are a powerful reminder: strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s simply showing up — day after day, year after year — and refusing to let cruelty dim your light.

Britain has spoken: Carol Kirkwood isn’t just a weather presenter. She’s a national treasure. And she’s not going anywhere.