Carol Kirkwood appeared in high spirits as she stepped out following her final BBC Breakfast appearance — even after co-star Naga Munchetty’s cheeky but controversial on-air dig left viewers divided.
The beloved weather presenter, 63, officially bowed out after nearly three decades with the BBC, having first joined the broadcaster back in 1997. And while her farewell was filled with emotion, warmth, and heartfelt tributes, one unexpected moment stole headlines for all the wrong reasons.
After her final show on Wednesday, Carol was seen leaving her Manchester hotel the next day, loading a car with bouquets of flowers and farewell gifts. Dressed casually in a navy tracksuit and black leggings, she looked relaxed and radiant, smiling broadly despite the storm of reactions online.
Back in the studio, Carol had been joined by colleagues including Jon Kay, Sally Nugent, Nina Warhurst, Peter Ruddick, John Watson — and, of course, Naga Munchetty. The pair have long shared a playful on-screen dynamic, but Naga’s final remark raised eyebrows.
As a montage of Carol’s best moments played out, Naga joked: I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go! The studio burst into laughter — but viewers at home were less amused.
Some took to social media questioning the tone of the comment, with one writing that maybe the two presenters didn’t get along after all. Another pointed out that while others had prepared touching tribute segments, Naga appeared to skip a solo message and instead leaned into her trademark teasing style.
Still, not everyone saw it as a slight. Others noted that Naga did present Carol with a thoughtful gift — a framed illustration of Little Miss Sunshine — and even admitted on air: Here is a rare glimpse into me being lovely to you.
She went on to praise Carol, saying that whenever people heard she was off-air, the reaction was always one of shock and disappointment, adding that she truly was a “Little Miss Sunshine” in the eyes of many.
Despite the awkward moment, Carol’s farewell was overwhelmingly emotional and celebratory. She delivered her final weather forecast with composure, even as tribute videos from BBC colleagues and celebrities — including Sue Barker, Zoe Ball, Clare Balding and Sir Chris Hoy — praised her warmth, professionalism, and enduring presence.
A surprise message from Bryan Adams left her stunned, while heartfelt notes from viewers described her as a “bright star”, a “national treasure”, and a comforting presence in uncertain times.
Fighting back tears, Carol reflected on her journey, admitting she was still “in denial” about leaving. She shared that although she loved her job deeply, she was ready to spend more time with her husband, Steve Randall.
She told viewers that after 28 years of tracking storms and chasing sunshine, it was time to say goodbye — though not without emotion. She described the role as a privilege, saying she would forever treasure the friendships and memories it gave her.
Carol also joked that once she was done, the first thing she would do would be throw her alarm clock in the bin — a light-hearted end to a career defined by early starts and unwavering dedication.
