Cat Deeley spent 15 years in California with her ex-husband, Patrick Kielty, and their sons, Milo and James, but it seems there’s no place like home, as she returned to the UK in 2020
Cat Deeley has explained why she swapped Los Angeles for the “melting pot” of London as she opened up about a personal struggle. The This Morning presenter spent 15 years in California with her ex-husband, Patrick Kielty, and their sons, Milo and James. The family lived in a sprawling £2.1 million mansion with its own office, gym and swimming pool.
During her time in the US, Cat fronted the dance show So You Think You Can Dance and made history as the first Brit to host Live With Regis and Kelly. She also appeared as a correspondent on The Tonight Show and has been nominated for five Emmy Awards.
Cat returned to the UK in 2020 and has now spoken more about her decision to move home, which she says was centred on her children. Cat told The Times: “I moved back to the UK because I wanted the boys to be educated here. London is a melting pot.
“I like that there is very little segregation and I think it’s important that [my sons] see different types of people from different backgrounds. I wanted them to understand the opportunities they have and never take them for granted.”
It appears there was one typically British downside, though. She added: “I struggled with the weather when we moved back to London. In LA, I’d open my doors and have a coffee in my pyjamas outside.”
Yet Cat’s explanation appears to contrast with her earlier account of why she left the US. In 2020, she suggested that she’d decided to move after Patrick and her son were caught up in a mall shooting.
She told You magazine: “They shut down the centre. I got a call from Paddy, saying, ‘They’re taking us out through the fire exits, but nobody can get to their car. If we walk to a junction, can you come and get us?’
“He wanted to keep Milo calm, so I didn’t understand the enormity of what was happening. As I was driving, I began to see helicopters, news vans, firemen and Swat squads.”
She added that Patrick was “shaken” and described the incident as “terrifying”. But it wouldn’t be the only time that the horrifying notion of active shooters reared its head for the family.
Cat said she and a friend were looking at schools for Milo one day when they “had to ask the question” of what they should do in such a scenario, and the danger quickly became a “reality”.
Having separated from comedian Patrick last year, Cat now lives in London and has been a regular presenter on ITV ’s This Morning with Ben Shephard since 2024, although the duo are currently on their summer break.
Cat did admit there is one thing she is missing about life in Los Angeles, though. She said the family loved being active or outdoors and they would go horse riding or surfing at the weekend.
She added that the family might return to the USA at some point, but not for an extended period of time. She said her sons are “flourishing” after returning to the UK.
