The terrifying reason Cat Deeley fled the US with her family after 14 years ahead of her This Morning debut

Cat Deeley decided to return to Britain after her husband and son became embroiled in a gun scare.

The TV star, 47, moved to the US more than a decade ago and has built a successful presenting career, fronting hit shows such as So You Think You Can Dance?

But she has returned to 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 gun incident involving her husband Patrick Kielty, 53, and Milo, eight, was committed by ex-Amazon employee Nicholas Oates, who pointed a gun at staff at a shopping center in Century City, LA.

Cat’s husband and son were eating a hamburger at Shake Shack when the incident occurred and she rushed to the scene.

The first So you can think you can dance? presenter makes her official debut as main presenter of This Morning with Ben Shephard (pictured) on Monday after living in the US for 14 years

Cat has been married to Patrick Kielty (left) since 2012 and has sons Milo, eight, and James, five, with him

Ex-Amazon employee Nicholas Oates pointed a gun at employees at a mall in Century City, LA when Cat’s husband and then three-year-old son were at a burger bar

The former Stars in Their Eyes host previously said everyone was told to lie on the ground at the scene as she remembered seeing police and helicopters when she arrived.

In a 2020 interview, she said: ‘Everyone was told to lie behind the counter or be pushed into the toilet. People screamed and cried.

“When they were all hiding, the FBI showed up with guns. Paddy kept Milo calm; he didn’t really know what was going on.

“As I drove, I started seeing helicopters, news vans, firefighters and armed police units.”

On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the upcoming regulars who would take over from Holly and Phil, nine months after the iconic duo were split up by Schofield’s departure.

It was claimed that Cat had finally won with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied these claims and insisted that it was the opportunity to spend more time with family that sealed the deal.

Ben said: “This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It is an honor to be entrusted with the leadership. Join Alison and Dermot and the whole team who work both on and off screen doing amazing work.

Cat and Ben were unveiled as the new presenters of This Morning, with ITV revealing the news three weeks ago, with a teaser clip showing their footage in the ITV corridors

On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the upcoming regulars who would take over from Holly and Phil on the show’s X account.

The pair have been in talks for several months following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and are now set to make their debut on Monday.

‘Over the past ten years I’ve been waking up to our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I’m now looking forward to spending time with Cat…

‘Welcoming viewers home after the school run or their early morning routine, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.’

Cat added: “This Morning is a national institution. When it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, sincere, informative and cheerful – like all best friendships!…

‘This morning is and remains the viewer’s show.

“Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of a great team of people, we’re going to do our best to make it happen.”