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Kelly Cates

Kelly Cates (née Dalglish; born September 1975) is a Scottish sports broadcaster and renowned for her coverage of . Born in to former professional footballer and manager Sir and his wife Marina, Cates has built a 27-year career in sports media, beginning as a presenter on the launch of in 1998. Cates initially gained prominence through roles at , where she occasionally presented Premiership highlights between 2001 and 2004, and as a reporter for major events on and Channel 4. She later worked as an interviewer and presenter for and before returning to in 2016, where she has since hosted matches, including Friday Night Football. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded Presenter of the Year at the 2024 Sports Journalists' Association British Sports Journalism Awards. In January 2025, the announced Cates as a co-presenter for the flagship programme alongside Mark Chapman and , starting from the 2025–26 season. She began presenting in August 2025, marking a significant expansion of her role across major broadcasters. She continues to present coverage for . Known for her conversational interviewing style and ability to engage high-profile pundits like , Cates has also covered international fixtures, such as Scotland's qualifiers, and contributed to discussions on social issues in football, including the movement.

Early life and education

Family background

Kelly Cates was born Kelly Dalglish on 28 September 1975 in , . She is the eldest child of Scottish football icon , a legendary player and manager for clubs including and , and his wife Marina Dalglish, who later co-founded the Marina Dalglish Cancer Appeal. The family relocated to , , in 1977 when joined Liverpool, immersing Cates in a football-centric environment from an early age. Cates grew up alongside her younger brother , born in February 1977, who followed in their father's footsteps with a professional career as a forward for clubs like Newcastle United and Livingston before transitioning to coaching and management roles, including stints in . She also has two younger sisters, Lynsey and Lauren, completing the Dalglish family of four children. From childhood, Cates experienced extensive exposure to sports media and professional settings, accompanying her family on travels and attending events linked to her father's high-profile career at , where he achieved immense success as both player and manager during the 1970s, 1980s, and beyond. This upbringing in a household dominated by 's demands and triumphs shaped her early worldview, though she has noted the challenges of navigating life under her parents' public spotlight.

Academic pursuits

Kelly Cates attended the , where she pursued a degree in for two years beginning around 1996. She left the program without completing her degree in 1998, opting instead to join the newly launched channel after being offered a role there. Initially, Cates had considered a career in , drawn to the analytical demands of the field, but her passion for —stemming from her family's deep involvement in the sport—pivoted her toward opportunities in sports media. This mathematical background equipped her with rigorous analytical skills, which she viewed as a natural bridge to , allowing her to dissect games and narratives with precision before entering the professional broadcasting world.

Broadcasting career

Early roles

Kelly Cates began her broadcasting career in when she joined the newly launched as a and reporter. In this entry-level role, she handled news updates and minor sports segments, often working irregular hours in the channel's early "dome" studio environment alongside a young team. Over the next eight years at , Cates gained substantial experience in live reporting and football coverage, progressing from initial behind-the-scenes contributions to more prominent on-camera work as she honed her skills on the job. Her tenure, which lasted until 2006, allowed her to build a foundation in , particularly in Premier League-related content, during the channel's formative period. In 2006, following Sky's coverage of the in , Cates transitioned to , where she took on her first major on-air hosting roles, presenting matches and dedicated shows. This move marked a significant step in her career, shifting from supporting segments to leading broadcasts for the Irish-based network's programming.

Television presenting

Following the closure of Setanta Sports in 2009, Cates joined , where she covered matches and co-presented the show Talk of the Terrace with Mark Chapman and Nat Coombs until 2010. In 2010, she reported for at the in and covered the 2011–2012 . She also presented sports news segments on in May 2010 and Daybreak in 2012, and served as a presenter for during the 2012 Paralympic Games. From 2015 to 2016, Cates hosted Football League Tonight on alongside George Riley. Cates returned to in 2016 to present coverage of the Sky Bet , including live Saturday evening matches, building on her initial experience with the network earlier in her career. From 2017, she advanced to a lead presenter role for matches, handling live game broadcasts and analysis programs such as Friday Night Football. As of 2025, Cates maintains her position as a prominent presenter, focusing on football coverage. She has expanded into for select football programming, notably co-hosting . In December 2024, reports emerged of her joining the , with official confirmation in January 2025 that she would share presenting duties on from the 2025/26 season alongside Mark Chapman and , rotating to succeed . This role marks a significant milestone in her television career, combining studio analysis with high-profile highlights. Cates also collaborates with ESPN on international football coverage, including studio hosting for alongside analysts like . Among her notable television specials, Cates narrated the BBC's Hillsborough Remembered in 2009, a documentary marking the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, drawing on her personal connection as a present at the stadium. In 2019, she hosted Liquid Football, a Paddy Power-produced series that explored key football narratives through discussions with former players like Jonathan Wilson and . These projects highlight her versatility in delivering thoughtful, guest-driven content beyond live match presenting.

Radio presenting

Kelly Cates's radio career began with stints on , including standing in for on in summer 2009. She joined full-time in 2013, co-presenting the Sunday edition of the interactive phone-in program 606 alongside for five years until 2018, focusing on post-match analysis and fan call-ins that highlighted the weekend's action. The format's emphasis on listener interaction allowed Cates to foster lively debates, drawing on her expertise to moderate diverse opinions from callers across the . In 2021, Cates became the first female presenter on , hosting football debate shows including the Monday evening program from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM alongside . Following her tenure on 606, Cates continued contributing to with midweek football previews and live commentary, providing in-depth coverage of domestic and international matches. She has presented from two World Cups for the station, including build-up and reaction to the 2022 final in , underscoring radio's role in delivering real-time analysis without visual elements. By 2025, Cates had amassed over 27 years in broadcasting, with her radio work exemplifying the medium's strength in audio-driven, participatory sports discourse that connects audiences directly to the game's narratives.

Key achievements

Kelly Cates won the Best Presenter award at the 2024 SJA British Sports Journalism Awards for her work on Sky Sports, where she was recognized for her engaging and insightful football coverage. This accolade highlighted her ability to connect with audiences during high-profile Premier League broadcasts. As an award-winning broadcaster, Cates has fronted coverage for over two decades, amassing 27 years in the industry by 2025 and establishing herself as a trailblazer in the male-dominated field of sports media. She made history as the first female presenter on in 2021, breaking barriers in radio sports commentary, and later became one of the first women to co-host BBC's in 2025, a landmark role that expanded female representation in flagship television programs. Cates has also contributed to significant remembrance efforts, including narrating a 2009 BBC documentary on the , drawing from her personal experience as a to the . Her involvement in international tournaments, such as reporting for at the in , has further underscored her impact on global sports broadcasting.

Personal life

Marriage and divorce

Kelly Cates married Tom Cates in in 2007, after meeting while she was working on and he was a there. The couple welcomed two daughters during their marriage. In 2021, after 14 years of , Cates and her husband announced their separation, citing personal reasons for the split. The was described as amicable, with the former couple maintaining a co-parenting arrangement focused on their daughters' well-being. Cates has spoken about returning to dating following her but has not publicly shared details about any specific relationships as of 2025.

Family relationships

Kelly Cates is the mother of two teenage daughters, whom she has raised with active involvement in their daily lives and upbringing. She has described the demands of motherhood as honing her organizational skills, likening them to "military-grade" abilities that help her navigate her professional commitments. Balancing her high-profile schedule with single parenthood has been a key aspect of her family life, where she prioritizes creating stability for her daughters amid frequent travel and public appearances. Cates maintains a close and supportive relationship with her father, , the legendary footballer and manager, who has been a constant source of encouragement throughout her life. Dalglish often engages with her work by sending text messages during her live broadcasts, offering real-time feedback or commentary, particularly when her mother is not watching alongside him. In January 2025, Cates revealed that she initially lied to her father about securing the role, as he admitted he "can't keep a secret." Their bond extends to occasional public collaborations, such as joint interviews where they discuss 's role in their family and efforts to promote women's participation in the sport. This paternal influence provides personal grounding, helping Cates stay connected to her roots despite the pressures of public life. Cates shares a familial connection with her brother , rooted in their shared football heritage as children of , though their paths have diverged significantly. While pursued a professional playing career in clubs like Newcastle United and later transitioned to coaching in in the United States, Cates has built her identity in sports broadcasting. She has reflected on Paul's outgoing personality as a way he coped with their father's fame, noting his tendency to be "extra loud and funny" in family settings. This sibling dynamic, alongside broader family support, offers Cates emotional stability and a sense of normalcy amid her career's spotlight.

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