ITV This Morning viewers surprised by Cat Deeley's real name

Wales Online

19-06-2025

ITV This Morning viewers surprised by Cat Deeley's real name
Cat Deeley, who currently hosts This Morning alongside Ben Shephard, was joined by her former teacher on the show today as the pair celebrated Thank a Teacher Day
Cat shed light on her unexpected name as she was reunited with her teacher
(Image: Kate Green, Getty Images )
Viewers of This Morning were left astonished when they discovered the true name of host Cat Deeley during a live broadcast. The 48-year-old presenter shed light on her unexpected name as she was reunited with her teacher on the programme in honour of Thank a Teacher Day.
Following an interview with children discussing their school in Surrey, Cat was taken aback when Mrs Cotterill, her primary school teacher, appeared via video link and called her by her real name, saying: "Her name is Katie."
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Ben Shepherd, co-hosting with Cat, clarified to Mrs Cotterill: "Because you, of course, know her as Katie."
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Cat, who received high praise from Mrs Cotterill, disclosed that her birth name is Catherine, but she was affectionately called Katie during her childhood, reports the Mirror.
"Well my real name is Catherine, but my grandad always used to call me Katie and my mum and dad and stuff," she explained, noting: "Unless I was in trouble, then I was sometimes Catherine!"
Cat received high praise from Mrs Cotterill, disclosed that her birth name is Catherine
(Image: ITV )
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Mrs Cotterill, reflecting on Cat's childhood, described her as: "She was very enthusiastic, a very kind child. Always wanting to help, always wanting to be involved, just actually, an all round super person."
Raised in Birmingham, Cat attended Grove Vale Junior School and later Dartmouth High School.
At the age of 14, she made it to the national finals of a modelling competition through the BBC show The Clothes Show. She was later signed by a modelling agency and subsequently, her name was changed to Cat.
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Cat and Ben were unveiled as the fresh faces of the beloved ITV programme last year, stepping in for long-standing presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. At the time, an insider lavished Cat with compliments, telling the Mirror she's a "very recognisable face, thanks to her long stint of working on kids' TV".
They continued: "Back in the 90s and early 2000s, when she worked with Ant and Dec on SMTV Live, she was very warm and funny so it's hoped they can recreate some of that magic together."
Cat moved back from the US with her family after presenting out there
(Image: Instagram/CatDeeley )
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After leading a variety of programmes, including So You Think You Can Dance? across the pond, Cat eventually settled down with Irish comedian Patrick Kielty, and together they have two sons, James and Milo.
The family previously resided in Los Angeles but opted to relocate to the UK following a harrowing incident at a shopping centre involving Patrick and Milo a few years back.
In 2020, after the distressing event where Patrick was informed by the FBI about an active shooter at the mall, Cat and Patrick made the decision to move back to England and now reside in North London.