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CAT'S TERROR
This Morning star Cat Deeley reveals real reason she returned to the UK with family after 14 years ahead of first show
Terrifying details of mall horror revealed for the first time
SHOCKING details of a mall shooter scare that forced Cat Deeley and her family home from the US can be revealed for the first time.
The Sun on Sunday tracked down the gun nut who caused terror for innocent shoppers — including Cat’s husband Patrick Kielty and son Milo.
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Soon after the pair were caught up in the horror, Cat started making plans to return to Britain after 14 years working in Hollywood.
This week, the 47-year-old takes over from Holly Willoughby as host of ITV’s This Morning.
And we can tell for the first time the full, shocking story of the 2019 gun ordeal that comic Patrick, 53, and Milo, then three, suffered.
They were enjoying a burger in a Shake Shack fast food restaurant in Century City, Los Angeles, when emergency sirens started to wail.
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In a 2020 interview Cat revealed: “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.
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“It makes me go funny now. It was terrifying. Paddy was shaken by it, more than Milo, who didn’t properly understand.
"The gun laws in America are crazy.”
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The Sun on Sunday found the gun scare was caused by disgruntled ex-Amazon employee Nicholas Oates — angry at poor pay and conditions.
Oates, then 26, set fire to books in a shop then pointed a gun at a member of staff before fleeing.
He was arrested the following day and sentenced to seven years and four months in a state prison after pleading no contest to arson and assault with a firearm.
He is now out of jail and declined to comment on the shock incident when approached by our reporter but still moaned: “Jeff Bezos and Amazon do whatever they want regardless of how anyone feels about it.
"Worrying about that now is a futile waste of time.”
Los Angeles Police chief Michel Moore described the situation as one that “created terror in the minds of hundreds of shoppers”.
Cat began making plans to end her successful stint in the US shortly after the scare.
In leaving LA, her family has given up a mansion with a gym and swimming pool.
She takes over from Holly, who quit This Morning last November after being targeted by a stalker.
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She will be appearing alongside Good Morning Britain star Ben Shephard, who replaces shamed Phillip Schofield — ousted for having an affair with a young runner.
Cat said of her new gig: “’I can’t wait to be a part of the team.”
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