Cat Deeley reveals scary moment she realised school shootings in America 'are real' as she weighs in on gun control after her family left the US over a 'terrifying' incident

Cat Deeley has revealed the scary moment she realised school shootings in America 'are real'. 

The This Morning presenter, 49, moved back to the UK with her then husband Patrick Kielty, and their sons, Milo, 10, and James, eight, in 2020 after a 'terrifying' gun incident.

Patrick and her son Milo narrowly avoided a public shooting incident at the Century City Mall when the FBI turned up with guns and ordered everyone to take cover as a shooter was on the loose. 

And since returning to the UK, Cat has been open about her fears over gun violence and has recalled the moment she realised it was a serious problem. 

Weighing in on the US laws, she explained: 'I don’t think America will change its gun control laws. When we were looking around schools, we were shown the safe room children go to when there is a live shooter. 

'It made me realise how [school shootings] are real. They are a problem.'

Revealing she also wanted her children to be educated in the UK, she 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.'

Cat and Patrick announced their split in July 2025, but prior to their separation she said they had become disillusioned with LA life following a terrifying gun incident.

In a previous interview with YOU Mag, the former SM:TV host discussed her anxiety surrounding a possible school shooting when her kids would start in the future.

Her fears became a reality when her family had to escape the mall shooting as she explained: 'That danger became even more real last summer when Milo and his father went to the Century City Mall in LA after morning nursery.

'The FBI turned up with guns and ordered everyone to take cover under counters or hide because a shooter was on the loose.'

Patrick and Milo were forced to take cover in a Shake Shack kitchen when they first discovered a gunman had entered the building.

Cat said her husband was trying to keep their son calm so he didn't understand the danger and enormity of the situation.

She added: '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?”

'It was terrifying. Paddy was shaken by it, more than Milo, who was hot and cranky but didn’t properly understand.’

Cat now lives in London with her sons, co-parenting with Patrick, following their split. 

The couple announced their plans to divorce in a joint statement confirming they had decided to end their 13-year marriage and would remain united as parents.

The Daily Mail previously revealed how Patrick's family were seething over Cat's failure to attend his beloved mother's funeral months before the split – and say they knew at that moment their marriage was over for good.

Her 'no show' back in March 2025 left deep emotional scars within the Kielty family who say it confirmed for them that there was little chance of a reconciliation between the two.

A spokesperson for Cat told the Daily Mail at the time: 'Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.'

Cat and Patrick first met in 2002 while they hosted BBC talent show Fame Academy but they did not become an item until ten years later.