BBC Breakfast star Carol Kirkwood sent shockwaves around the TV world when she handed in her notice after more than 25 years. The star, who joined the BBC in 1998, admitted she is leaving to spend more time with her husband Steve Randall, who she “loves more than the job”. But now her co-star Simon King has exposed another reason she is saying goodbye.
Penning a lengthy tribute to Carol on Instagram this week, Simon wrote: “Carol Kirkwood… the nicest person you could wish to know and meet. I’ve been lucky enough to know Carol for 18 years, since I started at the BBC Weather Centre, and she’s been such an inspiration. People often ask me if Carol is as nice as she is on screen… 100% yes.”
He continued: “Never has a bad word to say about anyone, and such a professional.”
Simon then got to the real reason Carol had handed in her notice, telling fans: “Starting work at 4am isn’t easy so totally understand why she’s decided to have proper sleep!
“I’m going to miss our morning hugs and chat but more importantly she will be missed by the whole nation!”
Delivering her announcement live on-air, Carol said earlier this week: “It’s really, really hard for me to say this. I love my job. I love all of you guys, my weather colleagues, every department I work with, and, of course, all the viewers I’ve been so engaged with for many years.
“But I don’t want to be coming in with my Zimmer frame when I can’t reach the northern Isles anymore.”
She continued: “I’m going to be spending more time with Steve, my gorgeous husband, we have been married a couple of years ago, but we are like ships passing in the night, so I’m so looking forward to doing that.”