Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley’s split came as a shock to many of their fans but not so their friends and family, it has been claimed.
The couple announced they’d called time on their 13-year marriage in July, saying they will ‘continue to be united as loving parents to our children.’
Since news of their separation broke, there has been plenty of chatter and now a source has claimed that there was one moment in particular that showed Patrick’s family and community in Northern Ireland that the marriage was over.
Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley attend the 2013 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Pic: FilmMagic
The moment, the publication claims, was when Cat didn’t attend Patrick’s beloved mum Mary’s funeral in Dundrum, Co Down, in March.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, a source said: ‘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.
Patrick Kielty at his mum Mary Kielty’s funeral. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
‘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.’
The source added: ‘His family remains very upset by this. They still can’t believe it. It was the point when we all realised that the marriage had ended.’
Another source alleged that mourners at the wake noticed Cat’s absence and said that it ‘caused a huge amount of embarrassment’ for the family.
At the time of the funeral, Cat said through a spokesperson that she wasn’t attending the funeral so she could be at home to support their sons Milo, nine, and James, six.
Patrick Kielty with his mum Mary Kielty. Pic: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
‘Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day,’ a spokesperson said.
The latest claims come as it was also reported that Cat and Patrick’s split wasn’t a surprise to many in Montrose.
One source told the Irish Mail On Sunday: ‘Nobody was surprised when it was announced his marriage was over. The writing has been on the wall for this around him at least for a long time.
Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley. Pic: Dave M Benett/Getty Images for Moet et Chandon
‘But he’s gutted. He adores Cat, he still adores her. But he’s been through tough times before so if anyone can rise to the occasion, he can.’
The paper reports that Patrick is ‘putting everything into this season [of the Late Late Show] to make it a banger’ and is even considering a temporary move home to Co Down.