Television presenter Cat Deeley has recounted a frightening experience in the United States that contributed to her family's decision to move back to the UK in 2020. Deeley, 49, described an incident at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles where her then-husband, Patrick Kielty, and their elder son, Milo, then aged eight, had to take cover during a public shooting incident.
According to Deeley, FBI agents arrived at the mall armed and instructed everyone to hide. Kielty and Milo sought refuge in a Shake Shack kitchen as law enforcement pursued an active shooter. Deeley stated that her husband worked to keep their son calm, preventing him from fully grasping the severity of the situation.
"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?’" Deeley recalled, describing the event as "terrifying."
This close encounter with gun violence served as a stark realization for Deeley about the reality of such incidents in America. She also noted that when looking at schools in the U.S., she was shown "safe rooms" intended for children during active shooter events, which further emphasized the problem for her.
Deeley and Kielty, along with their sons Milo, 10, and James, eight, returned to the UK in 2020. While Deeley cited wanting her children to be educated in the UK and experience its diverse environment as a reason for the move, the mall incident appears to have been a significant factor. In a previous interview, she had expressed anxiety about potential school shootings when her children started school.
Deeley and Kielty announced their separation in July 2025, after 13 years of marriage. They confirmed they would remain united as parents to their two sons.