Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty have halted renovations on their £5 million Hampstead, north London, mansion following their separation, with plans to sell the property unfinished and at a financial loss. The couple, who moved back to the UK in 2020 after more than a decade in Los Angeles, had purchased the 1950s home in 2023 with the intention of creating a family residence for themselves and their two sons.

The decision to relocate was partly influenced by a traumatic incident in an LA shopping mall when Patrick and their eldest son, Milo, then four, were caught in an emergency lockdown during a shooting scare. Cat Deeley has spoken about the distressing experience, which led her to conclude she could not raise her family in the United States. Their purchase of the Hampstead property marked the beginning of a major renovation project aimed at transforming the house into a spacious and modern family home with an emphasis on natural light and California-inspired design.

Deeley’s lucrative new role, announced in 2024, as co-host of ITV’s This Morning alongside Ben Shephard, was partly intended to help fund the extensive refurbishment. She is reportedly paid around £600,000 annually for the position. Despite initial optimism, the couple never completed the renovations or moved into the property.

Friends and sources close to the former couple indicate the stresses related to the renovation contributed to the breakdown of their marriage. The project required significant time and effort, with much of the work reportedly falling to Deeley as Kielty spent much of his week in Ireland hosting RTE’s Late Late Show. Their marriage ended just over a year ago, when they announced their separation, emphasizing a commitment to co-parenting their children while requesting privacy.

Sources describe a period of uncertainty over who should continue with the renovation, with both Deeley and Kielty ultimately deciding to cease work and place the house back on the market. The property, listed with Savills, is described as a detached five-bedroom home in poor condition, totaling approximately 410 square meters (4,418 square feet) over two floors. The asking price of £5.25 million slightly exceeds their initial 2023 purchase price of £4.9 million, but it is understood that renovation costs have exceeded the potential profit, suggesting the couple will face a financial loss.

The house, situated near Hampstead Heath and on the same road as properties owned by singer Harry Styles, was set to feature extensive improvements including a nanny suite, children’s playroom, expanded living spaces, and a redesign to bring in more daylight. Planning permissions also included tree removals and garden excavation to reshape the outdoor area.

Deeley and Kielty’s relationship began in the early 2000s when they first met as presenters on BBC’s Fame Academy. After years apart, they reconnected and married in 2012, with the birth of their sons rounding out their family life. However, since relocating to London, their marriage deteriorated, with friends noting that the home renovation project placed additional strain on an already fragile relationship.

Following their separation, Deeley has been linked to social outings with friends, though sources suggest no current romantic relationships. Kielty continues to split his time between London and Ireland, with no public indication of a new partner.

Deeley’s transition to This Morning has faced challenges, with reports of declining viewer ratings and criticism over her on-screen chemistry with co-host Ben Shephard. The show’s audience has dropped significantly from peaks under previous hosts, leading insiders to question the future of her role.

Ultimately, both their domestic and professional aspirations in London appear to have encountered significant obstacles, with the uncompleted home and their public split underscoring the difficulties they have faced in recent years.