Carol Kirkwood could have carried on working for the BBC well past retirement age as she was so popular, we can reveal.

The 63-year-old legendary weather presenter stunned colleagues and viewers alike by making her bombshell retirement announcement live on air yesterday morning -saying she wanted to spend more time with her new husband.

The news immediately sparked speculation that, after over two decades in the role, she was being forced out to make way for younger talent.

The corporation has a troubled history over older presenters being sidelined in this way with Miriam O’Reilly even winning an industrial tribunal case for ageism after being dumped from Countryfile.

But it’s understood that Carol’s decision to leave the BBC after 25 took bosses by surprise as they had no intention of replacing her with a younger presenter.

Indeed, an in-joke within the BBC Breakfast management team has long been that ‘there would be riots’ if Carol was ever let go.

Insiders have today told the Daily Mail that the popular star had taken BBC Breakfast bosses by surprise with her decision to quit – and they were devastated by the news.

A source said: ‘Carol’s decision to leave was entirely her call.

‘There was no pressure and age wasn’t a factor – as far as producers were concerned she could have gone on forever.

‘Carol was the mainstay and a big reason why so many viewers tune in so nobody wanted her to leave – indeed she could have gone on for many more years – but once she’d decided they could not stand in her way.’

She said in interviews yesterday that her decision is motivated by the desire to spend more time with husband Steve Randall whom she married in December 2023.

Randall, a police officer 13 years her junior, is himself approaching retirement age and it’s believed the couple have extensive travel plans.

Carol welled up when she announced she was stepping down on air yesterday morning.

Speaking to Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, who both became emotional during the segment, Carol said: ‘I love my job, I’ve loved working at the BBC, but I love my husband more than my job. More than everyone, I should say.

‘We only got married a couple of years ago and we’re ships that pass in the night so I’m so looking forward to [spending more time together].

‘The future is rosy and the time is right, absolutely right for me to go.’

She added: ‘I don’t want to be coming in in my Zimmer frame and saying, “I can’t reach the Northern Isles anymore!”’

The BBC has been plagued with ageism rows in recent years as bosses bid to attract younger audiences, as well as making significant financial cuts.

Veteran stars including Sue Barker, Arlene Phillips, Moira Stuart and Ken Bruce saw their roles at the Beeb filled with younger replacements, in some cases to the detriment of viewing figures.

Carol has been the main presenter on BBC Breakfast since 2010, becoming a regular face at Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot, as well as in the studio with her clicker.

She began her BBC career as a production secretary and production assistant on, ironically, BBC Breakfast – and had no designs on becoming a meteorologist, leaving the corporation for a time to work in consultancy.

Carol then auditioned for and underwent training at The Weather Channel in the US to become presenter on its short-lived UK edition, before she trained with the BBC and the Met Office to join the corporation full-time.

She joined the BBC Weather Centre in 1998, and quickly became a familiar face to millions on BBC News and BBC Breakfast.

In 2015, she competed on Strictly Come Dancing and finished eighth alongside dancer Pasha Kovalev, which took place seven years after her split from husband Jimmy Kirkwood.

The former couple had been married for nearly two decades and despite admitting the break-up sparked inner turmoil behind the scenes, the split eventually made Carol come out of her shell.

Speaking to Radio Times, she said: ‘I found myself when I got divorced. I started to do things and to think, “I’m not going to say no, I’m going to say yes!”

‘I’m braver now. I’ve flown with the Red Arrows, jumped out of planes with the Red Devils. When I was younger I would never have done that because I’d have thought, “Too dangerous!” Now I think, “Oh, you’ve got to live your life!”’

Carol married Steve in December 2023 at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire, and the pair now live together in Windsor.

She told House Beautiful magazine in July 2024: ‘If he’s at home, I’m happy. I don’t need anything else. He’s tall, handsome, kind, gentle, strong, funny, charming.

‘He’s a gentleman. He’s good at cooking. I could wax lyrical about Steve forever.’

Carol had dropped hints that she might leave Breakfast last year – and in a written statement, she added that leaving the broadcaster ‘hasn’t been an easy decision to make’, but added it ‘feels like the right moment to step away’.

She said: ‘It’s been an absolute privilege to bring you the weather every day. My job is something I’ve never taken for granted and I’ve loved every minute!

‘From early starts and all manner of forecasts, I’ve shared it with incredible colleagues at BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and programmes across the BBC. I’d like to thank them for their support and friendship which has meant the world.

‘And 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.’