Inside RTE star Patrick Kielty’s health battle as wife Cat shares rare insight

This Morning fans rallied to support presenter Cat Deeley as she opened up about her husband’s health battle.

Cat was hosting the show as usual alongside Ben Shephard when the discussion turned to shingles – and how it’s adversely affecting people over 50. Cat confessed RTE Late Late Show host Patrick had “no idea” he’d contracted the condition at first – and put it down to the construction work they were doing around the house.

She explained: “He thought he’d touched his face. He’d got this burning, tingling, stinging sensation, so that’s what he thought it was.”

Doctor Sara Kayat then explained the symptoms to look out for: “Firstly you tend to get this tingly, burning sensation. You may also notice you’re feeling more fatigued – you’ve got a headache, you’re tired. You might even have a bit of a temperature.

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“A few days later you can start to develop a blotchy rash and then that develops into fluid-filled blisters, which start to crust over and scab away.” Cat chimed in: “They can be on the trunk of your body? [Patrick] has got them on his face, actually!”

Sara confirmed they can be “anywhere” – including the genitals and around the eyes. And worried fans rushed to social media to share their own experiences, sympathising with Cat and Co Down man Patrick.

One penned on X: “I got shingles about 3 months ago, lasted for about 6 weeks, it was bloody horrible!” Another echoed: “Shingles is quite possibly the worst pain ever. I had it as a 13 year old on my crotch. Pus filled blisters lasting weeks. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

As someone else chimed in: “I feel for Cat’s husband, shingles is awful!”

During the segment, This Morning fell prey to a technical blunder, as Dr Sara’s earpiece fell out of her ear. Ben was quick to warn her about it, explaining: “Sara, your earpiece has popped out and it’s looking like some sort of alien. You need that so they can tell you where we are!”

Sara thanked him for the assistance, as Ben reassured her: “We’re all on time at the minute, don’t worry!”

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