Cat Deeley has revealed why she abandoned Los Angeles for the "melting pot" of London as she discussed a personal challenge. The This Morning host spent 15 years in California with her husband, Patrick Kielty, and their sons, Milo and James.
The family resided in an expansive £2.1 million mansion complete with its own office, gym and swimming pool. Throughout her stint in the US, Cat presented the dance programme So You Think You Can Dance and made history as the first Brit to present Live With Regis and Kelly. She also featured as a correspondent on The Tonight Show and has received five Emmy Award nominations.
Why Cat Deeley returned to the UK
Cat relocated to the UK in 2020 and has now elaborated on her choice to return home, which she says was focused 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."
There appeared to be one distinctly British drawback, however. 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."
Previous explanation for leaving the US
Yet Cat's reasoning appears to differ from her previous explanation of why she departed the US. In 2020, she suggested that she'd chosen to relocate 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 revealed that Patrick was "shaken" and described the incident as "terrifying". However, it wouldn't be the only occasion that the horrifying prospect of active shooters emerged for the family.
Cat explained she and a friend were examining schools for Milo one day when they "had to ask the question" of what they should do in such a scenario, and the threat swiftly became a "reality".
Life in London now
Following her split from comedian Patrick last year, Cat now resides in London and has been a regular host on ITV's This Morning with Ben Shephard since 2024, although the pair 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.
