Freya Scott-Turner
Live reporter

Carol Kirkwood's 28-year-long career at the BBC has come to an end. This morning, she graced the BBC Breakfast studio in Salford to present her final ever weather forecast and bade an emotional farewell.

For nearly three decades, Carol has been on-hand, helping us viewers decide whether we need to bring a brolly or slap some sun cream on.

She said goodbye from the studio's sofa, surrounded by colleagues, who describe her as "a true friend, who gives the best hugs", and "cheekily naughty, with awful jokes that would make even tumbleweed groan".

Some of the surprises the team had prepared for Carol included a vivid blue cake, an enormous bouquet of flowers presented by her husband Steve, and a goodbye from not one, but two of Number 10 Downing Street's residents.

As for what she does next, Carol says she doesn't "have a detailed forecast" but "it's time for a new chapter".

We're ending our live coverage now - but there's plenty more on Carol's departure on the BBC website.

Louise Lear
BBC Weather

Twenty-eight years ago, Carol and I were asked to bring a bit more of a human touch to the forecast - to take what can sometimes be quite a scientific story and make it feel more relatable, more understandable, and, hopefully, a bit more welcoming for everyone watching.

At the time, the BBC was really trying to move away from that old stereotype of the forecaster - "socks, sandals and a knitted jumper" - and towards something that felt friendlier and more engaging.

I’ll be honest, it wasn’t all plain sailing at the start.

There was a bit of resistance, and it took time to earn the trust of some of our more experienced colleagues. But Carol… she just had this way about her. She brought such a natural warmth and ease to everything she did, alongside real professionalism and expertise.

And it didn’t take long. People started to see exactly what she brought to the team - and before any of us quite realised it, she hadn’t just won over the department, she’d become a favourite with viewers right across the country.

Chris Fawkes
BBC Weather

Image source, Chris Fawkes

I'm sometimes asked "what's Carol like in real life?". I can say that the Carol people see on TV is very much the same as the Carol who is not just a colleague, but a friend.

She's very warm, caring, generous and funny. I've been lucky enough to work with her for the last 25 years!

Of course, she's done quite a lot of stuff beside weather: you might remember her time on Strictly Come Dancing.

I remember some of her earliest TV dance moves way back in the early 2000s, performing It's Raining Men for Children in Need alongside colleagues past and present, Helen Willetts, Sarah Wilmshurst, Penny Tranter and Isobel Laing.

There was a lot of hairspray in the office that day - I'm not sure my lungs have ever been quite the same!

Simon King
BBC Weather

We’re going to miss Carol so much.

A question I get often from people is whether Carol is as nice in real life as she is on the TV. That’s an easy answer…100% YES.

When I first started at the Weather Centre, nearly 20 years ago, Carol was amazing at showing me the ropes and honing my skills as a weather presenter. She'd tell me to "pretend you’re speaking to your granny on the other side of the camera".

It's something I still think about when presenting the weather today.

Carol is the friendliest and kindest person I know and even when we have a good old gossip at 05:00 in the morning on our early and breakfast shifts, she never has a bad word to say about anyone!

Image source, Simon King

Helen Willetts
BBC Weather presenter

Image source, Helen Willetts

Carol has just appeared on BBC Breakfast for the final time, we've been hearing more from her colleagues marking the end of her 28-year-long career.

Words can’t describe how much I’m going to miss Carol in the mornings on our shifts together.

She has taught me so much over the years and our friendship has been steadfast.

Carol never fails to be cheery and calm even in the most tricky situations.

BBC Breakfast has just come to an end, but before the programme wrapped we heard some final comments from Carol Kirkwood.

"This is a forecast I've known for quite a while was coming but that doesn't make it any easier to present", she says, getting visibly emotional.

She says that after 28 years "tracking storms, chasing sunshine and occasionally getting it completely wrong... I'm saying goodbye".

To viewers, she says thank you for "the privilege and honour of welcoming me into your homes... Thank you for trusting me"

"You've been the constant in all of this, and I've never taken that for granted".

There have been "bad hair days, and the occasional moment of pure chaos - and do you know what, I wouldn't change a second of it", she says.

To round off a surprise-filled morning, Sally Nugent announces that a "really special guest" is coming out.

It's Carol's husband Steve, who presents her with an enormous bouquet of flowers.

"You told me you weren't coming in", Carol says.

"I made him lie, I'm so sorry", Sally Nugent says.

It's before 10:00, but it's not too early for cake.

Out comes a bright blue cake, adorned with weather symbols and temperatures, logos and tiny disco balls.

BBC Breakfast presenters, including those not scheduled on the show this morning, have joined Carol on the sofas for her final day.

She's been presented with a "Little Miss Sunshine" poster in honour of her years of service to BBC Weather.

"I'm feeling emotional," Carol says, teary-eyed.

A familiar four-legged friend has joined in the farewells for bid Carol Kirkwood farewell on her last day.

It's none other than Downing Street's feline resident Larry the cat.

As a parting gift, Carol has made a trip to No 10 to say goodbye. Jon Kay says it took "some top-level negotiations" to arrange the meeting.

Then, a message from Downing Street's "current tenant", says Sally Nugent.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears via video message to wish Carol "congratulations on a truly remarkable career. You've been a staple, every morning for us."

He praises her "professionalism, your warmth and that sunny disposition that you have".

"I'm the lucky one" she says, for being on the show for 28 years. It's a "privilege", she says.

On what's next, Carol says "it is a new chapter, so Steve and I are going to set off into the sunset".

Before delivering her final forecast, Carol is given a surprise by BBC's Sally Nugent and Jon Kay. In comes guide dog Flash, who runs into the BBC Breakfast studio.

Carol was memorably pulled over by Flash while she was reporting from the Chelsea flower show.

"She is strong isn't she," Carol says while giving Flash a big scratch. "She's been well behaved I must say."

Cover your ears Flash, but Carol says she's going to get cats when she retires.

"Thank you Carol, that was perfect," BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent says, clapping her as she finished her final forecast.

"Shame about the weather though", fellow host Jon Kay quips, getting laughs all round.

Imogen James
Live reporter

It's ticking past 09:00, and Carol Kirkwood is presenting her final forecast on BBC Breakfast.

A familiar face to many across the UK, Carol has weathered many storms, quite literally, and provided coverage of some of the nations biggest events like Wimbledon and Royal Ascot.

So for one last time, she's telling us what we can expect in the weather - watch it live at the top of this page.

You've been sending us your comments and reaction on Carol Kirkwood's last day presenting BBC Weather.

"I am wishing and hoping this is an April Fool's trick!", says Sandra. She moved to the UK 19 years ago from the Caribbean and Carol was her "first heartwarming welcome every morning while I sipped on my morning coffee".

Shirley says: "I shall miss you sooooo much giving us the weather forecast here in the West Country but I wish you the very best retirement, I am sure that you will not be resting!"

"I just would like to tell you how much I have loved watching you on the TV, whether it be delivering the weather forecast or on the show Would I lie to you etc." says Diane. "Your lovely personality always shines through!"

Daniel and Carole, who hail from near Geneva in Switzerland, say that they "have been enjoying Carol’s weather forecasts throughout the years", adding "thank you to Carol for brightening up our mornings and also to the Breakfast Team!"

From rare astronomical events to Wimbledon, Carol Kirkwood has covered the weather from a huge range of locations, and BBC Weather itself has gone through several changes since she started in 1998.

A little earlier, she told us about those huge changes - both to the technology used in weather forecasting, and the set-ups that her team use to broadcast. Here's a look back:

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Here's a reminder of the past 75 years of BBC Weather, Carol has seen 28-years' worth of changes.

Carol is delivering her final full-length weather forecast for the BBC, a few minutes earlier than planned.

Don't worry though, it's not the last time she's on screen this morning. She'll be back for a shorter forecast, and a goodbye, at 09:15.

As a reminder, you can watch live at the top of this page.

Sarah Keith-Lucas
BBC Weather

Image source, Sarah Keith-Lucas

I remember the time Carol was training me to present the weather when I first started.

She has this amazing ability to talk fluently and captivate the audience and keep their attention no matter what the topic might be.

She picked up the nearest object she could find - which happened to be a very plain, black, plastic kettle - and talked for exactly two-and-a-half minutes on the subject of said kettle.

I remember being so impressed watching her talk so enthusiastically and confidently about the minor details of the kettle without a hitch or a hesitation.

She rounded off the talk at exactly two and a half minutes (a typical length of a weather forecast) - my turn wasn’t so successful.

But it taught me such an invaluable skill as a weather presenter - you might not know exactly what words are going to come out of your mouth, but if you present with confidence and enthusiasm and you know your subject well, you will engage the audience brilliantly.

Our colleagues at BBC Breakfast have sent us a sneak peak at what's happening behind the cameras in the studio up in Salford.

The studio is, as always, filled with cameras and lots of smiles.

Carol will be up again to give a short forecast at 08:15 - you'll be able to watch that live on BBC Breakfast at the top of this page.

Want to share your farewell message or favourite memory of Carol's time at the BBC? Get in touch.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Weather

Early shift workers are often fuelled by some kind of substance other than utter devotion to their job and obedience to the 03:00 alarm.

Our Carol is no exception. She is powered by tea - or her idea of it, anyway.

Here is your quick guide on how to make the perfect cup of Carol Kirkwood tea:

You will need: milk, a mug, a teabag, hot water, milk, and (you guessed it) milk.

Heat the mug, or it will be stone cold. Put tea bag in. Add 5cm of hot water. Let tea bag briefly sniff hot water. Remove after a nano-second and discard.

Pour in half a litre of milk until mug is full and serve immediately with a spring of sunshine. Approximate colour - baby formula white.

Receive your hug, smile, effusive thanks and now you can get on with making more normal tea for the rest of the team.

We love you Carol!

Image source, Matt Braithwaite