Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty announced their marriage split yesterday (July 29).
After nearly 13 years of marriage the This Morning host announced her relationship with her husband had come to an end. And it came as some cracks were spotted in their relationship.
But their joint statement was very direct, and to the point. And it appears this was probably a conscious decision. PR expert Joseph Hagan from Streamline PR spoke to Entertainment Daily exclusively about the meanings behind their statement.
Cat and Patrick wanted to ‘control the narrative’
Coincidentally, the announcement that Cat Deeley had split from her husband came as she has just started her summer break from This Morning.
For a while, Cat won’t be on our screens everyday, instead getting to enjoy some of the rare summer sun with her kids. But it may have been a “deliberate choice” to wait until now to announce her split.
Joseph told us: “The timing of Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty’s split announcement, coinciding with Cat’s summer break from This Morning may suggest a deliberate choice to avoid immediate media scrutiny and allow for private family space. In a high-profile marriage sharing two young children, this timing could reflect a desire to control the narrative during a quieter period.”
Statement was ‘crafted with intention’
The statement was very straightforward. Cat and Patrick said: “We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved.
“We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and therefore kindly as for our family privacy to be respected.”
Looking deeper at the statement, Joseph told us it was intentionally straightforward.
He said: “The statement was crafted with intention. It clearly states there was no third party involved. They emphasise their united front as parents and ask for privacy.
“Significantly, the absence of any affectionate language or sentiment about their relationship likely signals an amicable but emotionally distant separation. That lack of warmth does not necessarily imply hostility, but it does hint at a relationship driven by pragmatism over sentiment.”
Cat Deeley split is ‘Final but functional’
As for why Cat and Pat decided to announce their split that way, Joseph believes it was to minimise speculation. And as for any hope in the future of a reconciliation, that seems unlikely.
Joseph said: “What we see here is a statement designed to minimise speculation while setting firm emotional boundaries.
“It sets the tone that the split is final but functional – focused on shared parenting responsibilities rather than unresolved partnership dynamics.”
Cat Deeley is ‘prioritising career’ amid split
Since joining the This Morning family, Cat’s career has been taking off. And it seems this may be where her focus is in the future. Especially as over the years, she and Patrick have opened up on struggles in their relationship.
Joseph explained: “It feels like a strategic, measured communication. It suggests Cat may now be in a phase where she prioritises her career trajectory and personal stability over maintaining a front of marital normality in the public.”
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