Carol Kirkwood has admitted that she feels "a sense of clearing" after quitting BBC Breakfast and has embraced being able to spend more time with her husband after 25 years on air18:10, 25 May 2026Carol Kirkwood has admitted that she feels "a sense of clearing" after quitting BBC Breakfast. The meteorologist, 63, stepped down from her long-running role as a weathergirl on the early morning breakfast programme in April after more than 25 years on air and has now addressed how she is adjusting to her new life off-screen.‌After a quarter of a century of enduring incredibly early stars, the TV star promptly got rid of her alarm clock as soon as she could so she could learn to adjust to new waking hours.‌She said: "I had to set my alarm at 2:45am and that’s not a natural time to get up, even if you’ve gone to bed at seven o’clock the previous evening. For years now, I’ve suffered from a low-grade version of jet lag. My last forecast was on April 1; on April 2, I threw my alarm clock into the bin."‌READ MORE: Naga Munchetty slammed for 'rude' on-air comments to Carol Kirkwood as she leaves BBCREAD MORE: Carol Kirkwood says 'old age isn't guaranteed' after family tragedyThe former Strictly Come Dancing star, who was initially married to property developer Jimmy Kirkwood from 1990 until 2008 and then tied the knot with policeman Steve Randall, 50, in 2023 then candidly admitted that her decision to step back from her career was so that she could spend more time with her husband.Speaking to The Telegraph, she added: "But look, I’m not really complaining. I’m not a nurse on a cancer ward. I’m not a first responder who has to run into a fire rather than away from it. I’ve loved my job but I love my husband more, and now I want us to be more than ships that pass in the night."‌When asked to name the "best thing" about leaving work, she said: "The sense of clearing my head and realising that now I can do what I want when I want – like sitting in the garden in the evening sunshine and reading a book with a glass of wine."Carol announced her decision to step down earlier this year. At the time, she was visibly emotional while discussing her decision with Jon Kay and Sally Nugent. She said: "I am going to be leaving. 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 it's great. I don't want to be coming in with my Zimmer frame when I can't reach the northern Isles anymore."She added: "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."I've still got my books, you know, I've got a few other bits and pieces. I want to travel. We want to travel as well."Article continues belowAs her voice began to break as she sat alongside Jon and Sally, she added: "I didn't want to get emotional, but you two are my friends, and I love you dearly so I am sorry I did."Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage .