Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood fought back tears as she announced on BBC Breakfast that she would be leaving the corporation after more than 25 years.

She hugged her co-presenters saying it was "really hard for me to say this because I love my job".

Kirkwood, who joined the BBC in 1998, will leave in April and said it had been an "absolute privilege" to bring viewers the weather.

After her regular morning forecast, the 63-year-old broke the news of her departure sitting on the Breakfast sofa, saying she was looking forward to spending more time with her husband Steve and going travelling.

Kirkwood told presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent: "I didn't want to get emotional, but you two are my friends, and I love you dearly."

"I want to spend more time with my gorgeous husband Steve.

She continued: "We're ships that pass in the night, so I'm really looking forward to doing that. We want to travel as well.

Kirkwood, who is from Morar on the west coast of Scotland, married police officer Steve Randall in 2023.

She added: "I've loved my job, I've loved working at the BBC, but I love my husband more than my job."

She said it had not been an easy decision but it felt like the right moment, saying "I'll carry with me the most wonderful memories".

Kirkwood worked at The Weather Channel, the Met Office and the BBC, before joining the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998.

She began broadcasting on the BBC News channel, and went on to appear regularly on BBC One. She has been the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast since 2010.

As well as fronting the daily bulletins, Kirkwood often presented the weather on location, including from Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show and royal events.

She has also reported for The One Show and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, reaching week eight with her partner Pasha Kovalev.

Kirkwood has repeatedly been named best TV weather presenter at the TV and Radio Industries Club Awards.

She said: "My job is something I've never taken for granted and I've loved every minute," she said.

"To those watching and listening at home - thank you for all the kindness you have shown me over the years, being part of your mornings has been a joy."

Asked about an end to early-morning starts, she joked: "What is a lie in? I have no idea. Alarm clocks will be a thing of the past."

Kirkwood began her BBC career as a production secretary and production assistant on BBC Breakfast.

She presented segments on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4, but she would not appear on screen until later in her career.

Kirkwood left the BBC to work in recruitment and then consultancy, but later auditioned and had training at The Weather Channel in the US, to become a presenter on its short-lived UK edition.

She later returned to the BBC and trained with the Met Office, joining the BBC Weather Centre in 1998.

Kirkwood is known for her friendly disposition but has also gone viral for on-air mishaps such as her weather bulletins being upstaged by dogs or accidentally saying something rude.

Jonathan Munro, the interim CEO of BBC News, said Kirkwood had made an "exceptional" contribution to the corporation.

"From major national moments to the everyday forecasts that are such an important part of our audiences' lives, she has set the gold standard for our accurate, valued journalism - always delivered with an appropriately sunny outlook," he said.

"She will be greatly missed by teams across the BBC. We wish her all the best for the future."