Cat Deeley is said to be on edge ahead of her return to This Morning next week, with sources claiming she fears being cast as the villain in her marriage split from Patrick Kielty.
The presenter, 48, and the Irish comedian, 54, revealed last month that their 12-year relationship had come to an end. The couple, who share two sons, Milo, nine, and James, seven, made clear in their statement that ‘no other party’ was involved.
Cat is due back on air alongside Ben Shephard on Monday, but insiders say she has been wrestling with nerves after weeks of online trolling and whispers from her former in-laws.
Much of the upset has centred around an incident earlier this year. When Patrick’s mother Mary died in March, Cat chose to remain in London rather than travel to Northern Ireland for the funeral.
A source told the Daily Mail: 'Cat feels anxious ahead of her first day back after announcing the bombshell news of her split during her break.'
'She has been hurt that people who don't even know her have judged her for not going to her mother-in-law's funeral in March. Even people from within Patrick's family and inner circle who don't know her well have criticised her for that.'
Her spokesperson explained at the time of Patrick’s mother 's funeral: ‘Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.’
The decision continues to rankle with some of Patrick's family members. One relative told the outlet: 'Whatever rockiness was going on in the marriage, something as momentous as his mother's funeral, you would make up even temporarily and just put your "best face" on as we say in Northern Ireland.'
‘Cat obviously knew how close Patrick was to Mary and she should have come to be by his side, a hand on his shoulder as he buried his mother. The fact that she stayed in London and presented This Morning on the day, it’s not been forgotten,‘ they added.
Mary’s funeral, held in Patrick’s home village of Dundrum, drew almost the entire local community. Patrick looked devastated as he carried his mother’s coffin into the Church of the Sacred Heart, surrounded by family and friends.
For Cat, the narrative that her absence marked the end of the marriage has been deeply painful. A friend explained to The Sun: ‘She has been hurt that people who don’t even know her have judged her for not going to her mother-in-law’s funeral in March. And to make out that it was the reason for the split when that couldn’t be further from the truth.‘
As Cat prepares herself for her ITV return, Patrick is moving forward with his own career. The comedian will take to the Late Late Show desk once again on September 12, beginning his third season as host of RTÉ’s long-running chat show.
