Images of Cat Deeley appearing happy with a new companion have sparked further speculation that her marriage to Patrick Kielty has reached its final chapter. As Deeley appears to be embracing a fresh beginning in her personal life, those close to Kielty say the comedian is now focusing on rebuilding his own future, with a major lifestyle change already underway.

Friends and insiders say Patrick Kielty has been spending more and more time in Ireland and is increasingly determined to make the country his permanent home. According to people familiar with his situation, the Co. Down comedian has become deeply attached to life in Ireland and now views it as the place where he wants to settle for the long term.

An RTÉ insider told the Irish Mail on Sunday that Kielty’s presence in Ireland has grown significantly in recent months.

“Patrick has been spending more and more time here of late,” the source said. “I think Ireland is definitely his main home now, and that’s the way he wants it to be going forward.”

Although Kielty is preparing to return to television duties with the new season of The Late Late Show, which begins with planning work next month, insiders suggest that his frequent trips to Ireland are not simply linked to his professional commitments.

Sources claim his visits have become much more regular than his broadcasting schedule alone would require, with Kielty spending time both in Northern Ireland and further south.

“He’s been up North but he’s also been spending time south a good bit,” another insider explained. “Obviously he’s back on The Late Late and that gets under way in August with pre-season planning, but from what I’m hearing he’s intending to spend more time in Ireland in future.”

The move appears to represent a return to his roots for the presenter, who was born and raised in County Down. Kielty is reportedly staying at his late mother Mary’s home in Dundrum, Co Down, which remains within the family and has not been sold.

His mother Mary, who was in her eighties, passed away peacefully at the family home in March. She raised her three sons there following the tragic death of Kielty’s father, Jack, who was murdered by the UFF in 1988. The house continues to hold strong personal significance for Kielty and his family.

While Patrick Kielty focuses on establishing a stronger connection with Ireland, his former wife Cat Deeley has also been at the centre of attention after being photographed with film executive Charlie Coleman at the American Express presents BST Hyde Park festival in London.

The pair were seen enjoying Lewis Capaldi’s performance together, with witnesses claiming they appeared close and comfortable throughout the evening. Observers said Coleman and Deeley shared jokes, whispered to each other, danced together and appeared affectionate during the event.

At one point, Coleman was reportedly seen placing a hand on Deeley’s bare back in a warm and familiar gesture, adding to speculation that the pair may be developing a closer relationship.

Deeley, 49, looked stylish for the occasion, wearing a black strappy jumpsuit, oversized sunglasses and carrying a Chanel bag as she enjoyed the festival atmosphere.

The public appearance comes after Deeley and Kielty’s relationship reportedly came to an end in 2025 following 13 years of marriage. The former couple, who share two children, had been together for more than a decade before their separation marked the end of one of television’s most recognisable partnerships.

Despite the changes in his personal life, Kielty’s professional career continues to remain strong. Sources suggest he is looking to expand his involvement in Irish television beyond The Late Late Show through his production company, taking on additional projects in the country, including RTÉ productions such as Up for the Match.

RTÉ has confirmed that Kielty will remain as host of The Late Late Show until at least 2028. He first took over the iconic programme from Ryan Tubridy in September 2023, and his return to the role has been widely viewed as a success.

Following the renewal announcement, Kielty said hosting the programme continued to be one of the best jobs in television. He described the experience of presenting the show over the previous years as a privilege and said he was looking forward to reconnecting with viewers when Friday night broadcasts return in September.

RTÉ also highlighted the programme’s performance under Kielty’s leadership, revealing that the most recent season averaged 385,000 viewers per episode with a 38.2 per cent audience share. The broadcaster also pointed to more than 1.46 million streams on RTÉ Player as evidence that Kielty continues to attract a strong audience.

His return to the Late Late hosting position followed lengthy negotiations, with reports suggesting that Kielty secured an improved contract, including a possible pay increase of around €30,000.

Away from television, Kielty has continued to maintain close links with his home county. On July 11, he attended the Tailteann Cup final between Down, the county he once represented as a footballer, and Wicklow at Croke Park in Dublin. He was accompanied by two young boys during the match.

One spectator praised the presenter’s attitude at the event, saying Kielty was in excellent spirits and treated everyone at Croke Park with kindness, particularly the younger members of staff.

As Cat Deeley appears to be moving forward with a new chapter in her life, Patrick Kielty’s growing commitment to Ireland suggests that he too is creating a different future for himself. While their romantic relationship may have ended, the comedian appears increasingly focused on family, his roots and building a long-term life back in the country he has always considered home.