Cat Deeley has revealed that “fear” over shootings played a role in her family’s decision to leave the US.
The TV personality lived in America for a number of years, having initially moved to Los Angeles to host So You Think You Can Dance in 2006.
She lives with fellow presenter Patrick Kielty, whom she married in 2012. The pair have two sons, Milo, four, and James, two.
The family have since moved back to the UK. Deeley told You magazine that she was prompted to return to the UK after Kielty and her son were caught up in an attack at a shopping mall.
“They shut down the centre,” Deeley recalled. “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?’
“He wanted to keep Milo calm, so I didn’t understand the enormity of what was happening. As I was driving I began to see helicopters, news vans, firemen and Swat squads.”
Describing the incident as “terrifying” and revealing her husband was “shaken”, the 43-year-old said that the prospect of potential shooters rose its head again when looking for schools for their son.
“Fear was part of this,” she said: “There was a moment when I was with a friend looking at potential schools for Milo and we had to ask the question nobody wants to: ‘What do you do if there is a live shooter on the premises?’... The danger suddenly becomes a reality.”
Deeley and her family are now based in north London.
