Cat Deeley decided to return to the UK after her husband and son were caught up in a gun scare.
The TV star, 47, moved to the United States more than a decade ago and has carved out a successful career as a presenter there, fronting hit shows such as So You Think You Can Dance?
But she returned home to front ITV’s This Morning alongside Ben Shephard after the magazine show underwent a presenting shake-up following the departures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
And now, the The sun on Sunday has discovered that the firearms incident involving her husband Patrick Kielty, 53, and Milo, eight, occurred at the hands of former Amazon employee Nicholas Oates, who pointed a gun at Amazon staff. a shopping center in Century City, LA.
Cat’s husband and son were eating a burger at Shake Shack when the incident unfolded and she ran to the scene.
Cat Deeley decided to return to the UK after her husband and son were caught up in a gun scare (pictured with husband Patrick Kielty)
Cat and Ben Shephard were introduced as the new presenters of This Morning, and ITV revealed the news three weeks ago, with a teaser clip showing their footage in the corridors of ITV.
Former Amazon employee Nicholas Oates pointed a gun at staff at a shopping center in Century City, Los Angeles, when Cat’s husband and three-year-old son were in a burger restaurant.
The former Stars in Their Eyes presenter previously told how everyone was told to “lie down” on the ground at the venue, as she remembered seeing police and helicopters when she arrived.
In a 2020 interview, he said: ‘They were all told to lie down behind the counter or pushed into the bathrooms. People screamed and cried.
“Then, while everyone was hiding, the FBI showed up with guns. Paddy kept Milo calm; He actually he didn’t know what was going on.
“As I was driving, I started seeing helicopters, news vans, firefighters and armed police response squads.”
On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the next regulars to replace Holly and Phil, nine months after the iconic duo split up due to Schofield’s departure.
It had been claimed he eventually won over Cat with a more lucrative deal, but ITV insiders denied the claims, insisting it was the ability to spend more time with the family that sealed the deal.
Ben said: “It really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next episode of This Morning.” It’s an honor to be trusted with the reins, to join Alison and Dermot and the entire team who work on and off screen and do great work.
Catwill will make her official debut as the main presenter of This Morning with Ben (pictured) on Monday after 14 years of living in the US.
On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the next regulars replacing Holly and Phil on the show’s X account.
The pair had been in talks for a few months following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and will now make their debut on Monday.
‘For the last ten years I’ve been waking up to our ITV daytime audience on GMB and now I’m looking forward to spending time with Cat…
“Welcoming viewers home after their school run or morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.”
Cat added: ‘This Morning is a national institution. Every time they broadcast it, it’s like inviting your friends: funny, smart, silly, sincere, informative and happy, like all the best friends!…
‘This morning is and always will be the viewer’s program.
“Ben and I know how much people love it and, with the help of an incredible team of people, we will do everything we can to take care of it.”