Latest news with #MarkWhelan
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cat Deeley's little known marriage to first husband Mark Whelan and her admission that focusing on her career has affected her relationships - as she reveals shock split from Patrick Kielty
As news of Cat Deeley 's split from Patrick Kielty has emerged, many fans will be unaware that Cat has actually been married before. The This Morning presenter, 48, was previously married to PR executive Mark Whelan for five years before they divorced in 2006. While she met second husband Patrick, 54, in the early 2000s while working on Fame Academy, there was no romance between them as Cat was a married woman at the time, with the Irish host maintaining 'nothing went on' between them. Little is known about Cat's romance with Mark, who she began dating in 2000 before they became engaged after just five months. They tied the knot in January 2001, but five years later they separated and divorced in February 2006. However, in an interview with The Times back in 2010, Cat suggested that she chose work over love, as she noted that 'work was the most important thing to me.' The star moved to LA in 2006 for a fresh start following her split from Mark before getting her big Stateside break as the host of So You Think You Can Dance. When asked if their break-up was due to her commitment to her career, Cat noted that it did indeed play a part, but there were also other factors that led to the split. She added: 'I think that actually was something that should have happened a while before. I don't think one thing was necessarily the catalyst for the other, but there were definitely times when I'd put work first, yeah.' Meanwhile, OK magazine later reported that Cat scathingly added that the relationship was 'never a huge romance, to be honest - there was no sweeping violin music.' Cat added to The Times that she was 'sure' that her focus on her career affected her relationships, but noted that she'd always been told that she should go out and earn her own cash so one can 'have your own life'. She remarked: 'Then when you fall in love with someone, you fall in love with them. You don't have to stay with someone because you've become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. And not just financially, you need to have a successful career because you have to feel fulfilled as a person.' Elsewhere, in a chat with The Big Issue in 2020, she briefly touched on her failed relationship and her desire to have 'fun' as she excitedly spoke of her big move to America. The star moved to LA in 2006 for a fresh start following her split from Mark before getting her big break as the host of So You Think You Can Dance [pictured] She said: 'I never made a great proclamation; "I'm going to crack America". A relationship had just ended and I just fancied a fun adventure. It did feel crazy at times. After moving to the states, Cat was single for two years before she began dating Twilight actor Jack Huston - the nephew of actress Anjelica Huston. The couple dated for two years before splitting due to 'work commitments'. Cat then went on to date True Blood star Michael McMillian for around four months in 2011. The TV star later told Red Magazine that a relationship with an unnamed man left her feeling a 'shell' of her former self. She explained: 'You are so much better off on your own than with the wrong person," she declared, before cautioning other women: "I'd say to any woman, get out of the bad relationship that's turning you into a shell of your former self. Learn from it, and get out. 'Then wait: enjoy yourself and your friends because, when what you want comes along, you'll spot it.' It was certainly worth the wait for Cat as she later got together with Patrick in 2012, having endured a decade-long friendship throughout her first marriage and other relationships. However, on Tuesday, the pair shocked fans as they announced their split after 12 years of marriage. In a joint statement, the pair confirmed: '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 would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment.' Cat notably did not attend Patrick's mother Mary's funeral back in March. Cat and Patrick first met in 2002 while they hosted BBC talent show Fame Academy, however sparks didn't fly between the couple until 10 years later (pictured in 2002) It was reported that she stayed home in order to support their two young children, Milo, nine, and James, seven, who were suffering the loss of their grandmother. Cat and Patrick first met in 2002 while they hosted BBC talent show Fame Academy, however sparks didn't fly between the couple until 10 years later. After being friends for years, their friendship turned to romance thanks to his major gesture when he flew all the way from Belfast to Los Angeles for brunch with Cat. They married in a secret, intimate ceremony in Rome in 2012 with their close family and friends present. A wedding photo showed the pair looking blissfully happy as they enjoy a celebratory drink at their wedding reception. The couple lived in California for over 14 years as she presented So You Think You Can Dance but they put their Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $4.9 million (£3.8 million). They moved back to North London in 2020 after buying a £4.9 million property in Hampstead. The move came prior to Cat securing her job at This Morning amid fears of gun violence following an incident in which Patrick had to hide from a gunman in a Los Angeles mall.
Gulf Business
04-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Why identity security needs standardisation, AI, and a passwordless future
Mark Whelan, Head of EMEA Growth Markets at Okta. As organisations accelerate their digital transformation journeys, identity has become the new security perimeter, and the most critical layer of defence against modern cyber threats. Yet, with a growing number of SaaS applications, fragmented security frameworks, and evolving compliance mandates, securing identity is more complex than ever. Okta, a global leader in identity and access management, is working to change that. From championing a new Identity Security Standard to rolling out AI-driven threat protection and embracing a passwordless future, the company is aiming to redefine how enterprises approach identity. Mark Whelan, Head of EMEA Growth Markets at Okta, shares how the company is building a more secure, scalable identity ecosystem, and what lies ahead for the future of identity management. Q: What are the key objectives of the new Identity Security Standard, and how will it elevate identity protection across SaaS platforms? The Identity Security Standard initiative is about creating a unified, standardised framework to securing identity across all enterprise applications. Its core mission is to provide a common framework that SaaS builders can rely on to meet the increasingly complex security needs of their customers. By standardising identity practices, we aim to make enterprise apps secure by default, fostering an open ecosystem. This move enhances end-to-end security for enterprise SaaS platforms. Q: Okta's recent solutions like Governance and Identity Threat Protection aim to build a secure ecosystem. What sets Okta's approach apart from others in the industry? What differentiates Okta is our commitment to delivering complete and unified identity management. Our platform integrates seamlessly with existing IT ecosystems, which means customers don't have to choose between compatibility and innovation. We focus on high availability and always-on security, ensuring that protection is continuous and resilient. Importantly, we also emphasise user experience. There should never be a trade off between security and usability. Q: How does the Okta Secure Identity Commitment (OSIC) influence client security practices? Could you share any notable examples? One of OSIC's core focuses is promoting phishing-resistant authentication. Beyond that, it reflects our ongoing investment in next-gen tools, including the use of AI and emerging areas like Identity Security Posture Management. The results speak for themselves: clients have seen up to a 90% reduction in credential stuffing attempts over 90 days, and in just a single month, OSIC's protective mechanisms have blocked 2 billion potentially malicious access requests. These outcomes underscore how deeply OSIC is influencing operational security in real time. Q: How is Okta leveraging AI in identity security, and what role do you see AI playing in protecting against future threats? AI plays a pivotal role in our identity threat protection strategy today and will only become more critical moving forward. Currently, AI enables real-time threat detection and behavioural anomaly analysis, which means capabilities that are essential for identifying risks before they escalate. In the future, we see AI enhancing both security and user experience by analysing vast signals more efficiently and automating response mechanisms. This transition from reactive to proactive identity security means we can predict and prevent threats before they occur. Tools like Okta's AI-driven Identity Threat Protection are already showing how transformative this approach can be. Q: How does Okta ensure that new features effectively combat identity-based attacks, and what challenges do you face in staying ahead of these threats? We take a customer-first approach to product development, working closely with organisations to understand the challenges they face. This gives us a comprehensive view of the industry and the market. To address identity-based attacks, we rely on a combination of real-time risk monitoring, adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA), and AI-powered detection. These systems continuously evaluate user behaviour, flag anomalies, and respond dynamically to threats—offering protection that extends far beyond the login screen. Of course, staying ahead isn't easy. The pace of attack sophistication is accelerating, and striking the right balance between robust security and seamless user experience is always a challenge. Our solution is to continuously evolve and integrate with a broad range of tools, ensuring we stay resilient as the ecosystem grows more complex. Q: Looking ahead, what major shifts do you expect in identity management over the next decade? That's the billion-dollar question. It's always tricky to predict the future, but some trends are already becoming clear. First, passwords are on their way out. Technologies like Passkeys are gaining traction, and we expect passwordless authentication to become the norm. Second, Zero Trust has gone from being a buzzword to a foundational principle; it's now standard practice, especially among digital-native organisations. We also anticipate stronger privacy regulations, and Okta is proactively building compliance and transparency into its solutions to help customers navigate this changing environment. Finally, AI will take centre stage. As it matures, AI will bring greater intelligence and automation to identity management, allowing organisations to predict and neutralise threats before they materialise.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Arklow's community spirit on show at East Coast Roosters Motorcycle Club run
Setting off from Arklow in damp conditions, the convoy of riders rode north in torrential rain before stopping off for the night in Donegal. Soaked to the bone, the riders dried off their clothes as much as possible, then hit the road bound for Killarney, where they spent the night, before embarking on the home leg to Arklow. Welcomed home to the Arklow Bay Hotel by crowds of family members, friends, supporters and representatives from Arklow Cancer Support, riders were beaming with pride at having completed one of the most challenging charity runs in the history of the almost two-decade-old fundraiser. Praising his fellow East Coast Roosters Motorcycle Club for their endurance and unwavering support for the run that has seen over hundreds of thousands raised for local charities, club founder Mark Whelan said there were a few sore bodies after the ride. 'We've never witnessed weather like it before, and it couldn't have rained any harder when we were leaving,' Mark said. 'It kept going for the whole day, and while we stopped for fuel, we were so wet that we couldn't take the wet gear off to stop for food, so we didn't have anything to eat until we got to Donegal. 'We got up in the morning and, lo and behold, it was but bucketing down and the clothes were still damp from the previous day, despite the lads trying to dry them on radiators overnight. 'But the spirits remained high, and those lads have big hearts. They just keep going and don't complain. 'On Sunday, we still got a couple of heavy showers, and we made it back to the Arklow Bay at 4.30 pm, where the families and Arklow Cancer Support volunteers clapped us. 'The lads were so tired, as it was a real test of mental endurance, having to concentrate 100pc of the time because of the weather. 'But we made it home safe and sound, which is always the main thing, so it was another successful run for the books!' Reflecting on the run, long-term East Coast Roosters David Guilfoyle said that, while it was one of the more challenging ones they have taken on, everyone pushed through to complete it, as they always do. 'I'd say the divers in the North Sea wouldn't have got as wet as we did,' David joked. 'The rain was relentless, the whole way up and leaving Donegal on the second day – it just didn't let up. 'However, it was still a really good run. We all made it back. There were no accidents, and we raised a few quid. And it was actually one of the better organised runs, in terms of managing the group. 'After all that weather, I think the lads were delighted to make it back to Arklow and see their families. 'When you're coming into the bay and you see the volunteers from Arklow Cancer Support and all the families, it makes it all worth it.'
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah's viral Meliha milk will now be served to Air Arabia passengers
Heard of the viral, hard-to-find Meliha organic milk that's flying off shelves? Well, you can now have it while flying — thanks to Air Arabia's in-flight dining. The Sharjah-based budget airline has already introduced Meliha kid's flavoured milk onboard since April 1. The carrier is expanding its organic offerings, exploring additional products such as organic chicken, honey, and milk, depending on the farm's production. Known for its extensive network connecting to numerous destinations across Asia, India, and beyond, Air Arabia aims to redefine in-flight dining experiences. The airline collaborated with Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment (EKTIFA) to launch the first-ever organic products on board. This collaboration sets a new standard for health and wellness in the skies, offering passengers nutritious options tailored to those with gluten intolerance and other dietary requirements. Mark Whelan, managing director at Alpha Flight Services (dnata Catering & Retail UAE), expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration: "Today, we are excited to introduce our first organic product onboard Air Arabia flights. This partnership marks a significant step forward in providing our passengers with healthy meal options that cater to a variety of dietary preferences." Whelan highlighted the scientific benefits of the EKTIFA Organic products, noting that they are particularly beneficial for individuals with gluten intolerance and ADHD. "Not only do these products serve as a healthy option for our passengers and crew, but we also plan to extend these offerings to the airport, sharing their benefits with all travellers," he added. Dr Eng Khalifa Musabeh Ahmed Alteneiji, chairman of the Ektifa, expressed pride in the collaboration: "We are thrilled to partner with Air Arabia to supply them with healthy and safe food products from Ektifa. This partnership reflects our commitment to providing communities with clean and nutritious food." The demand for organic products has surged, with many individuals in the community praising the quality of Meliha milk, sourced from cows in Denmark that receive exceptional care. Dr Al Tuniji emphasised the importance of returning to traditional techniques in food production, which not only ensure safety but also promote community health. "We have seen tangible health benefits at a personal level, particularly among children and patients. Many individuals who previously avoided wheat and dairy products are now returning to them due to the ease of digestion and the absence of allergic reactions," he remarked. The Meliha organic milk, launched in last August, has residents lining up as early as 6am to get their hands on it by 10am, the daily batch of approximately 4,000 litres is typically was sold out. Meliha Dairy Farm currently produces 58,000 litres daily of fresh organic milk containing A2A2 protein, in addition to children's milk with natural flavours free from any additives, fresh yoghurt, and long-lasting organic milk. The (EKTIFA) company has also widen its product range, with launching flavoured infant milk, and long-life milk. Plans to diversify Meliha dairy's offerings, introducing yoghurt,EKTIFA aims to launch organic vegetables, fruits, and honey products, along with a new range of organic free-range poultry set to debut in June. The milk stands out for its high-quality composition, containing more than 4 per cent fat and 3.5 per cent protein, as well as A2A2 protein, known for easy digestibility and minimal intestinal discomfort. With 14.5 million passengers passing through the airport last year and projections of 20 million by 2030 due to new Sharjah airport expansions, Air Arabia is poised to offer this innovative dining experience to a growing number of travellers.
