Celebrities

BBC Breakfast Suffers Glitch as Carol Kirkwood Cut Off Mid-Weather Report

Published on May 20, 2025

BBC Breakfast was hit with an unexpected technical blunder on Monday morning (May 19) when beloved weather presenter Carol Kirkwood was abruptly pulled off-air during a live segment from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Presenters Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell—filling in for regular host Sally Nugent—were fronting the day’s programme when the glitch occurred. The pair had just introduced Carol, who was reporting live from the highly anticipated flower show, set to welcome King Charles, Queen Camilla, and a host of celebrity guests.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show is focused on key themes such as climate change, sustainability, mental well-being, and declining wildlife. Carol’s segment was set to give viewers a sneak preview of the vibrant gardens, including the show’s first-ever dog-friendly garden—designed by Monty Don and featuring tributes to the late Queen’s corgis and the King’s dog, Snuff, told Daily Express.

Jon kicked off the segment by saying: “The King and Queen are going to visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show today, and among all the plants and trees, there will be a bit more bark than usual.”

Sarah added: “The names of the Queen’s new puppy, Bluebell, and Beth, who died last year, will be featured in Chelsea’s first-ever dog-friendly garden… It also features the name of the King’s dog, Snuff.”

As Jon introduced Carol, he said: “Carol is there for us this morning at the Chelsea Flower Show, and we’ll get a sneak peek, I think, of the dog garden later.”

However, when the live feed was meant to cut to Carol, the screen went black and the sound was lost. Trying to make light of the situation, Jon joked, “Oh, that is a really dark garden she has gone to,” sparking laughter from Sarah, who quipped, “Or the night garden.”

Carol briefly reappeared on screen, offering a glimpse of hope, but the feed cut out once more before she could finish a sentence. Reacting to the continued malfunction, Sarah said, “Oh no,” while Jon added humorously, “I was looking for bright flowers, sunshine, and a garden of life, but all we got was that.”

Sarah reassured viewers, saying, “I’m sure once we’ve got the technicals working, we will be straight back to Carol because we all want to see what’s going on at the Chelsea show.” Jon agreed, highlighting Carol’s insider access on the event’s first press day.

Later in the show, the issue was resolved. Jon cheerfully declared, “We’ve fed and watered our technical equipment at the Chelsea Flower Show, and Carol is blooming again,” as the broadcast returned to Carol, who delivered her weather update without further interruption.