This Morning presenter Cat Deeley and comedian Patrick Kielty have announced their separation after more than a decade of marriage, the couple confirmed in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The television personalities, who wed in Rome in September 2012 and share two sons together, said they had “taken the decision to end our marriage” whilst emphasising that “there is no other party involved” in their split. The announcement marks the end of one of British television’s most enduring partnerships.
In their statement to PA news agency, the couple said: “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.”
The separation comes four months after Deeley, 48, notably missed the funeral of Kielty’s mother Mary in County Down in March. At the time, a spokesperson for the presenter confirmed she had remained at home “to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.”
Kielty, 54, appeared bereft as he carried his mother’s coffin through his home village alongside close family and friends at the Church of the Sacred Heart. The Northern Irish comedian’s grief was palpable as he laid his mother to rest without his wife by his side.
Sources close to the couple have indicated that balancing their demanding careers with family life had become increasingly challenging. Just months before the split announcement, Kielty had openly discussed the “tricky times” they faced managing their professional commitments.
“There was a moment after Christmas that was tricky,” Kielty revealed in March, referring to a period when Deeley had to fly to Atlanta for seven weeks. “There was a wee bit of a juggle there. But I think with all these things, as long as you have a routine, it doesn’t take as much fizz out of you as some people think.”
The couple’s unconventional living arrangements had also raised eyebrows amongst fans. Deeley had previously admitted to occasionally sleeping in a separate bedroom during the working week to accommodate her early morning commitments for This Morning, which she co-hosts alongside Ben Shephard.
Their love story began in 2002 when they first met whilst co-hosting the BBC talent show Fame Academy. However, romantic sparks didn’t fly immediately – it would take another decade before their friendship blossomed into romance.
The turning point came when Kielty made a grand romantic gesture, flying from Belfast to Los Angeles specifically to take Deeley out for brunch. “That was when everything changed,” a source close to the couple previously revealed.
They married in an intimate ceremony in Rome in September 2012, surrounded by close family and friends. Wedding photographs from the day showed the couple looking “blissfully happy” as they enjoyed celebratory drinks at their reception.
The couple welcomed their first son, Milo, now nine, followed by James, seven. They initially made their home in Beverly Hills, where Deeley had been successfully hosting the American reality competition So You Think You Can Dance since 2006.
In 2020, the family made a significant move, putting their £3.8 million ($4.9 million) Beverly Hills mansion on the market and relocating to North London. The move preceded Deeley’s appointment as co-host of This Morning in March 2024, replacing Holly Willoughby following her departure from the programme.
Industry insiders suggest the geographical upheaval and career transitions may have placed additional strain on the marriage. “Cat’s commitment to This Morning meant early starts and a demanding schedule,” said a television source. “Meanwhile, Patrick was juggling his own projects, including his Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 5 Live.”
Deeley’s rise to fame began with her co-presenting role on ITV’s children’s programme SM:TV Live alongside Ant and Dec from 1998 to 2002, for which she won a BAFTA Children’s Award. She went on to host Stars in Their Eyes and Fame Academy before conquering American television.
Kielty, meanwhile, built his career as a comedian and presenter, becoming known for hosting The Late Late Show on RTÉ One and his BBC Radio work. The County Down native has remained a prominent figure in both British and Irish broadcasting.
Earlier this year, rumours of marital difficulties had circulated on social media, which both parties had previously dismissed. In fact, as recently as May, sources close to the couple were quoted as saying the split rumours were “ridiculous” and “completely untrue.”
The timing of the announcement has surprised many in the television industry, coming just months after Deeley settled into her high-profile role at This Morning. She and Shephard were officially announced as the programme’s new main presenters in February 2024, taking over the Monday-to-Thursday slot.
Close friends of the couple have expressed sadness at the news. “They seemed to have found a way to make their unusual arrangement work,” said one source. “But ultimately, the pressures of maintaining two high-profile careers whilst raising a family proved too much.”
The separation marks the end of Deeley’s second marriage. She was previously married to businessman Mark Whelan for five years, divorcing in 2006. For Kielty, this was his first marriage.
As news of the split emerged, colleagues from across the television industry offered their support to both parties. Neither Deeley nor Kielty has made any additional public comment beyond their joint statement.
ITV has confirmed that Deeley will continue in her role at This Morning, with the presenter expected to return to screens alongside Shephard when the programme resumes following its summer break on 2 September.
For now, both parties have asked for privacy as they navigate this difficult period, with their primary focus remaining on co-parenting their two young sons. The couple’s representatives have confirmed there will be no further comment on the separation.
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