HomeUK News“I Was Just a Junior Shareholder in Our Marriage” — Patrick Kielty’s...
“I Was Just a Junior Shareholder in Our Marriage” — Patrick Kielty’s Shocking Confession Reveals the Emotional Imbalance That May Have Broken His 12-Year Relationship With Cat Deeley
Fans were stunned this week as beloved TV couple Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley announced their separation after 12 years of marriage. But beneath the surface of their glamorous life, Patrick has now revealed long-hidden cracks — from silent competitiveness to emotional inequality — and a deeply personal sense of not feeling like an “equal partner.”
Patrick Kielty once revealed he refused to ask Cat Deeley for advice during their 12-year marriage because it was a sign of ‘weakness’ (pictured in 2023)The comedian, 54, and Cat, 48, met when they hosted Fame Academy (pictured) but while he claimed Cat’s industry knowledge dwarfed his own, he would pretend to have all the answers
In a revealing appearance on The Mid-Point podcast, the 54-year-old Irish comedian opened up about his reluctance to turn to Cat for advice, even when he knew she had more experience.
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“That’s a real sign of weakness,” Patrick laughed, when asked if he ever sought Cat’s guidance. “You’ve got to be absolutely buckled before you ask for advice in our house.”
Patrick admitted that while Cat had “superpowers” in navigating both UK and US television, he often pretended to understand more than he did — too proud to ask for help, even when he knew she had the answers.
“I should have asked her. But instead, you keep making the same mistakes… and get an eye roll in the kitchen when it all goes wrong.”
👀 A Marriage Built on Unequal Ground?
Elsewhere in the chat, Patrick admitted he felt like a ‘junior shareholder’ in their marriage (pictured in 2021)
Patrick confessed that although he thought their relationship was a 50/50 partnership, it slowly became clear that Cat held more weight in major decisions.
“I genuinely believed we were equal partners,” he said. “Then one day you realise… you’re actually just a junior shareholder.”
One key example? Their return to London in 2020 after a decade in LA. Patrick explained that the decision was entirely Cat’s — driven by her longing to be closer to family while raising their children. He admitted:
“For me, London never felt like home. But for her, it was the right call. She had the successful career there. I supported it, because that’s what you do.”
🕰️ “10 Years Married, 30 Years Spent Together…”
Reflecting on their time together, Patrick painted a bittersweet picture of what marriage had become — especially under the pressures of the pandemic.
“When you work in entertainment, you might spend a day filming, but people think you’ve been busy for six months.”
“Over our 10-year marriage, it feels like we’ve been together 30. Most couples spend a few hours a day together — we were in the same house, all day, every day.”
He pointed out that lockdown made many couples confront realities they weren’t prepared for:
“Some people could take that pressure… and some people couldn’t.”
🥀 The End of an Era
In a joint statement this week, Cat and Patrick confirmed the end of their marriage, saying:
“We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. We remain united as loving parents and ask for privacy.”
Cat, 48, rose to fame with SMTV Live and So You Think You Can Dance in the US. Patrick, known for his sharp wit and heartfelt presenting, recently took over The Late Late Show in Dublin.
Before marrying each other, both had high-profile relationships — Cat with businessman Mark Whelan, and Patrick with TV host Amanda Byram.
💬 “You’re Attracted to One Thing — But That’s Not What Keeps You Together”
Patrick left listeners with a sobering reflection:
“What attracts you isn’t what keeps you together. Marriage is something you work at… through the rough and the smooth.”
While the breakup may have shocked fans, Patrick’s quiet admissions suggest this ending wasn’t sudden — but rather the result of years of imbalance, pride, and love tested by time.
