…and it played out like any other segment she’s presented for the last 28 years. After telling the UK to prepare for cold and windy weather, hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay applauded her, telling her it was “perfect”.

“Shame about the weather, though,” Kay added.

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Flash, the dog that famously yanked Carol out of shot at Chelsea Flower Show in 2021, was brought into the studio for the outgoing weather presenter’s final show – and proceeded to whip her with her wagging tail.

“I’m gonna have a bruise,” Carol quipped. “Again!” host Sally Nugent replied.

Moving words from host Jon Kay:

“There are dozens and dozens of people in the gallery on the studio floor, in the newsroom, and you mean just as much to all of them. You’ve set the tone, you really have, for all of us on this programme over the years. Your legacy will continue. We will be more Carol.”

It’s a very special occasion when ITV and BBC coalesce – and that happened for Carol’s final episode. Former BBC Breakfast host Susanna Reid sent a tribute from the studio where she films rival breakfast show Good Morning Britain.

“Remember the time I was sitting alongside Bill Turnbull and you told us we were going to experience temperatures of 99 degrees celsius across the UK, causing a slightly bemused nation to wonder how to dress for the day ahead!”

Things have changed a lot since Carol, who started as a production assistant on BBC Breakfast, became the show’s fixed weather host.

“It’s changed hugely,” she said shortly before her final segment.

“If you look at the weather, for starters, in the olden days, the graphics were clunkier and not as jazzy as they are now. Now they’re 3D and you can see the rain and the cloud moving through.”

The one thing that’s stayed the same? “The lovely, warm, family feel” in the studio.

There’s currently no official word on who’ll be replacing Carol Kirkwood full-time on BBC Breakfast, but there are a few contenders.

Recognisable BBC Weather stars Tomasz Schafernaker Helen Willetts, Simon King and Sarah Keith-Lucas are in the running. However, the odds are predicting meteorologist Matt Taylor is the one for the job.

He’s been part of the BBC’s Weather Centre since 2004, thanks to his long-standing background within the BBC and familiarity with viewers.

“When you go to an event with Carol, it is a little bit like being with the Queen,” BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent says. “She just does get mobbed and I’d trail behind her like a lady-in-waiting carrying her bags.”

In what could be the highest honour for a weather enthusiast like Carol, RHS Garden Wisley announced this week it would rename its weather station after the host.

It’s been mentioned a few times this morning, but it could be from 2021 when Carol was presenting from the Chelsea Flower Show. While presenting a segment alongside guide dog Flash, the pooch got overexcited and ran away, pulling Carol offscreen. It’s a brilliant moment highlighting Carol’s willingness to roll with whatever live TV threw her way – and always with a smile.

Carol’s jaw dropped when she saw she’d received a message from “Summer of ‘69” singer Bryan Adams.

Carol had a memorable back-and-forth with the star when he appeared on BBC Breakfast in 2015, telling her she “looked wonderful” and couldn’t wait to “see her dancing” on Strictly.

“Thank you, Bryan – how on earth can I do the weather now? I have no idea,” the flustered hosty responded.

Ahead of her departure, Adams said: “Hi Carol. Just wanted to say thanks for all the great weather reports over the years and good luck wherever you land. Take care, lots of love.”