BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood clarifies behind-the-scenes ‘misconception’

BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has opened up about life behind the scenes on the BBC morning show, and shared a surprising admission about her role

BBC Breakfast’s beloved weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has dispelled a common “misconception” about her job.

The 63-year-old star, who became a familiar face on BBC News as a weather presenter in 1998, has been with the broadcaster since the ’90s.

Carol has not only clinched the TRIC award for Best TV Weather Presenter multiple times but also charmed audiences on Strictly Come Dancing, amassing a dedicated fan base.

Yet, Carol has recently let slip a behind-the-scenes tidbit that might surprise many viewers.

In a recent interview, she divulged: “People think we use autocue, but we don’t – it’s all ad-libbed off the top of our heads!” reports the Express.

Carol Kirkwood has cleared up a “misconception” about her role

She elaborated, “We have an idea of what’s going on, which is why we can explain it in different ways with different charts. But it’s a live interpretation of the facts.”

While chatting with Prima, Carol also recounted an on-air gaffe at Greenwich Park that left her “horrified”.

She recalled: “I was reporting live from Greenwich Park, and I’d rehearsed it, saying: ‘We’ve been watching joggers and dog walkers all morning.’”

“When we went live, I somehow managed to get the two words muddled up to end up saying something very different!

“I was horrified! But I had to stay straight-faced and carry on.”

The BBC weather presenter revealed a behind-the-scenes secret

Carol has cemented her status as a firm favourite on BBC Breakfast, often sharing banter with co-hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt.

However, she has also been candid about the significant abuse she faces, openly discussing the trolling that comes her way.

In a recent interview, Carol discussed the online skirmish surrounding the #notaweathergirl hashtag and whether she stands with her industry colleagues in combating belittling sexism.

“I am what I am, and I don’t really care what anybody thinks of me,” she declared to RadioTimes.

Carol recalled a moment that left her “horrified”

“And in that sense, whether I’m a ‘weather girl’ or a ‘weather presenter’ or a ‘broadcast meteorologist’ doesn’t really bother me.

“I’m just doing my job to the best of my ability and hopefully improving myself on a daily basis, whether people think I’m capable or not. Titles don’t really matter.”

Carol also mentioned that she regularly receives abuse on X and even gets emails with “dreadful things” written in them.

“But that’s water off a duck’s back to me now. Or maybe that should be heavy rain off a duck’s back?” she quipped with defiance.