Cat Deeley decided to return to the UK after her husband and son were caught up in a gun scare.

The TV star, 47, moved to the US more than a decade ago and has carved out a successful presenting career over there, fronting hit shows like So You Think You Can Dance?

But she has returned home to front ITV‘s This Morning alongside Ben Shephard after the magazine show underwent a presenter shakeup following the departures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

And now, the The Sun on Sunday has discovered that the gun incident her husband Patrick Kielty, 53, and Milo, eight, were caught up in was done at the hands of ex-Amazon employee Nicholas Oates who pointed a gun at staff at a mall in Century City, LA.

Cat’s husband and son were having a burger at Shake Shack when the incident unfolded and she raced to the scene.

Cat Deeley decided to return to the UK after her husband and son were caught up in a gun scare (pictured with husband Patrick Kielty)

Cat and Ben Shephard were unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning, with ITV revealing the news three weeks ago, with a teaser clip showing their images in the ITV corridors

Ex-Amazon employee Nicholas Oates pointed a gun at staff at a mall in Century City, LA when Cat’s husband and then-three-year-old son were at a burger bar

The former Stars in Their Eyes host previously recounted that everyone was told to ‘lie down’ on the floor at the scene as she recalled seeing police and helicopters when she arrived.

In a 2020 interview, she said: ‘Everyone was told to lie behind the counter or pushed into the loos. People were screaming and crying.

‘Then, as they were all hiding, the FBI turned up with guns. Paddy kept Milo calm — he didn’t really know what was going on.

‘As I was driving, I began to see helicopters, news vans, firemen and armed police response squads.’

On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the upcoming regulars to take over from Holly and Phil, nine months after the iconic duo were broken apart by Schofield’s departure.

It had been claimed that Cat was finally won round with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied the claims – insisting it was the ability to spend more time with family which sealed the deal.

Ben said: ‘This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It’s an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job.

Catwill make her official debut as main presenter of This Morning with Ben (pictured) on Monday after 14 years of living in the US

On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the upcoming regulars to take over from Holly and Phil on the show’s X account

The pair had been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and are now set to make their debut on Monday

The pair had been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and are now set to make their debut on Monday

‘For the last ten years I’ve been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat…

‘Welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.’

Cat added: ‘This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative and joyful – like all the greatest friendships!…

‘This Morning is and always will be the viewer’s show.

‘Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we’re going to do our best to take care of it.’