Cat Deeley has revealed that being shown 'live shooter' safe rooms in US schools helped convince her to move back to the UK with her family. The 49-year-old This Morning presenter, who lived in the United States for 15 years with ex-husband Patrick Kielty, said the experience made the threat of gun crime feel real.
School visits highlighted gun threat
Speaking to The Times, Deeley said: "I don't think America will change its gun control laws. When we were looking around schools, we were shown the safe room children go to when there is a live shooter. It made me realise how [school shootings] are real. They are a problem."
Deeley and Kielty, 55, moved back to the UK in 2020 with their two sons, Milo, eight, and James, six. The couple announced their split five years later.
Los Angeles shopping centre evacuation
In an earlier interview with YOU Magazine, Deeley detailed a gun scare in Los Angeles involving her son Milo and then-husband Patrick. She said: "That danger became even more real last summer when Milo and his father went to the Century City Mall in LA after morning nursery. The FBI turned up with guns and ordered everyone to take cover under counters or hide because a shooter was on the loose."
She recounted: "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?' It was terrifying. Paddy was shaken by it, more than Milo, who was hot and cranky but didn't properly understand."
Return to London and co-parenting
Deeley explained her decision to return: "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."
The presenter now lives in London with her children, while Patrick reportedly lives in Dundrum, County Down. The former couple said they co-parent following their split. Announcing their separation in July last year, they stated: "We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment."
