ITV Sport presenter Hugh Woozencroft has sparked a heated online debate after posting about Carol Kirkwood's retirement celebrations on X.
Sharing a photograph from the BBC weather presenter's final day festivities, Mr Woozencroft wrote: "Not to detract from Carol being an absolute star because she is but wow, that is a very, very striking image of a production that's meant to represent the entire country."
The post appeared to suggest concerns about the diversity of staff pictured at the celebration, which marked the end of Ms Kirkwood's 28-year tenure with the broadcaster.
The sports presenter's comments quickly drew significant attention, with many users taking issue with the timing and nature of his observation about the image from yesterday's farewell event.
Not to detract from Carol being an absolute star because she is but wow, that is a very, very striking image of a production that's meant to represent the entire country. pic.twitter.com/1AY0txHpuO
— Hugh Woozencroft (@HughWoozencroft) April 2, 2026
Numerous users criticised Mr Woozencroft's intervention, describing it as divisive and poorly timed.
One response expressed disappointment, with the X user stating: "I like and respect you a great deal.
"However let's not look for things when they are simply not there. There is enough inequality in the world, which you often quite rightly highlight."
Another user accused the presenter of attempting to "shoehorn your diversity obsession into a perfectly normal gathering of people in the UK," calling it "a pathetic attempt to demean her special day."
BBC Breakfast marked Carol Kirkwood's last day after 28 years
|BBC
"A lady can’t even enjoy her retirement do without race being brought up," another wrote.
"There's enough racism in this country without trying to find more when it's not there," wrote one critic, adding: "Have a day off."
Someone else labelled the statement a "very divisive post," while another shared: "what a silly outburst."
However, some users defended Mr Woozencroft's position, with one responding: "Hugh, you're wasting your time reasoning with them. They do not have the mental capacity."
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Carol Kirkwood gave an emotional goodbye on BBC Breakfast
|BBC
Ms Kirkwood joined the BBC weather team in 1998 and became the main presenter on BBC Breakfast from 2010 onwards.
Her final broadcast on Wednesday featured a number of surprise celebrity appearances, including actor Brian Cox, who read a poem in her honour.
The farewell show also reunited her with the dog that memorably dragged her off screen during a live broadcast back in 2021.
Speaking to the BBC about her decision to step away, Ms Kirkwood cited her recent marriage to police officer Steve Randall in 2023 as a key factor.
Hugh Woozencroft
|TALKSPORT
"I'm not getting any younger, I'm newly married and we've had some losses in our lives recently," she explained.
Without elaborating on those personal losses, she noted they had reinforced her determination to begin retirement now.
Ms Kirkwood revealed she is looking forward to travelling with her husband, with trips to France and Italy already in the diary.
In her departure statement, she expressed gratitude to colleagues across BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and other programmes, describing their support and friendship as having "meant the world."
She thanked viewers for their kindness over the years, adding: "Being part of your mornings has been a joy."