Cat Deeley has spoken candidly about the worries she experiences as a mother, admitting that thoughts about her children can keep her awake at night.
The This Morning presenter, 49, said she sometimes finds herself “spiralling” over whether her sons, Milo, 10, and James, eight, will be happy and find fulfilling relationships and careers.
Deeley and comedian Patrick Kielty, 55, announced their separation in July 2025 after 12 years of marriage.
The former couple now share parenting responsibilities for their two children.
Presenter Admits Her Worries Have Increased
Reflecting on motherhood, Deeley said she believes she worries about her sons more now than when they were younger.
“I probably worry about the kids more now than I did then [when they were little],” she said.
“I just want them to be happy, and I tend to worry a little bit too much.”
She described how those concerns can become particularly intense at night when she is unable to sleep.
“Sometimes when I can’t sleep at night, I go into this kind of spiral of, ‘Will they be happy, and will they find something that they love to do?’ and ‘Will they find someone to love?’” Deeley said.
“You just want the best for them.”
Deeley Praises Her Nanny
The television presenter has also acknowledged the importance of having support around her while balancing work and raising two children.
Speaking to The Sun, Deeley praised her nanny, describing her as an essential part of the family’s day-to-day arrangements.
“I have a great team of people around me,” she said.
“I have a brilliant nanny who’s basically my right-hand woman. She’s just ace.”
Deeley previously discussed the practical side of raising her sons as a single mother, explaining that she and Kielty share parenting on a 50-50 basis.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, she said managing the arrangement requires careful organisation and again highlighted the support provided by her nanny.
“It’s about being as organised as you can possibly be. I have an amazing nanny too,” she said.
“Everybody’s doing their best.”
Family Returned To The UK From Los Angeles
Deeley and Kielty moved back to the UK from Los Angeles in 2020, with the presenter previously explaining that she wanted to be closer to family and have her children educated in Britain.
She has also spoken about her preference for raising her sons in London, describing the city as a place where they can encounter people from a variety of backgrounds.
“I moved back to the UK because I wanted the boys to be educated here,” Deeley told The Times.
“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.”
Deeley Recalls Gun Incident In Los Angeles
The decision to return to Britain was also discussed in the context of Deeley’s concerns about gun violence in the United States.
During the family’s time in Los Angeles, Kielty and their son Milo were caught up in a security incident at Century City Mall when authorities responded to reports of a gunman.
Deeley has previously described the experience as frightening and said it changed the way she viewed the possibility of school shootings in America.
She recalled that the FBI arrived with guns and instructed people inside the shopping centre to take cover while the situation was dealt with.
Patrick Kielty And Milo Took Shelter
According to Deeley, Kielty and Milo were at the mall after morning nursery when the incident unfolded.
The pair were eventually taken to a safe location through the building’s fire exits.
She said Kielty was particularly shaken by what happened, while Milo was largely unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Deeley recalled receiving a call from Kielty telling her they were being escorted out and asking whether she could collect them after they reached a nearby junction.
“It was terrifying,” she said.
“Paddy was shaken by it, more than Milo, who was hot and cranky but didn’t properly understand.”
Experience Changed Deeley’s View Of School Safety
Deeley has since spoken openly about the concerns she developed around gun violence and school safety while living in the United States.
Discussing the issue, she said that while looking at schools, the family was shown designated safe rooms where children would go during an active-shooter situation.
“I don’t think America will change its gun control laws,” she said.
“When we were looking around schools, we were shown the safe room children go to when there is a live shooter.”
The experience, she explained, made the reality of school shootings much more tangible to her as a parent.
