Kelly Cates is one of the most recognisable faces in British sport broadcasting, and has opened up about her life away from the cameras, including her famous family and dating fears
Kelly Cates will return to our screens on Saturday for the FA Cup clash between Tottenham and Aston Villa. The popular presenter has become a familiar face in the world of British sport broadcasting and is known for her ties to footballing royalty.
Born in Scotland, the 50-year-old presenter has made her mark on Sky Sports, BBC Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live. Following Gary Lineker’s exit, Cates now shares hosting duties on Match of the Day with Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman.
This career highlight further cements her status in the sports broadcasting industry. Here, Mirror Football has detailed all you need to know about Cates and her life in sport.
Kelly Cates’ net worth
Owing to her long-standing media career, it’s estimated that Cates’ net worth is in the millions. While exact figures vary depending on the source, some estimate her wealth to be around £7.9million (approximately $10million).
READ MORE: Kelly Cates mentions gripe Gary Lineker always faced on her Match of the Day debutREAD MORE: New Match of the Day hosts set out plans for new era after Gary Lineker exit
This sum has been amassed through her presenting roles on leading football shows, radio programmes and high-profile TV assignments.
After initial stints with Sky Sports News and BBC Radio 5 Live, she became a regular feature on live Premier League and EFL broadcasts, earning admiration for her composed authority and rapport with pundits.
Famous father
Cates is the daughter of Liverpool icon, Sir Kenny Dalglish. Known as ‘King Kenny’, he enjoyed an illustrious playing career at Anfield from 1977 to 1990 and had two spells as manager.
He scored 170 goals and provided 186 assists in 511 appearances, clinching six First Division titles, four League Cups, an FA Cup and a European Super Cup. Dalglish also tasted managerial glory, securing the 1994/95 Premier League crown with Blackburn Rovers, lifting the 2000 Scottish League Cup with Celtic, and claiming the 2011/12 League Cup with Liverpool.
Cates has previously revealed how her father actively discouraged her from socialising with players during his managerial days. She said: “When I was the manager’s daughter, I was not encouraged to hang around footballers; quite the opposite. I was like 13 or 14 and then a bit older. It was, ‘You come into the office, you stand with us and stay clear of everybody’.
“It wasn’t really a mingling opportunity. My first experience of footballers were my mum and dad’s friends. I would see the wives and kids as much as I would see the footballers. When it’s your dad’s workmates, they’re not really that interesting. That’s kind of how I first saw footballers.” Cates’ sister Lynsey tied the knot with former Welsh rugby fly-half Nicky Robinson.
Life after divorce and dating again
Away from the cameras, Cates was married to television producer Tom Cates for almost 14 years before they went their separate ways in 2021. The pair have two daughters together, and Cates has opened up about juggling motherhood with her demanding career.
When discussing her return to the dating scene, she confessed to feeling apprehensive about navigating single life once again. Chatting on Gabby Logan’s Mid Point podcast, she confessed to feeling “nervous” and unsure about romance. She said: “I don’t have a picture in my head of why a middle-aged, slightly overweight mother of two could possibly be attractive.
“I can’t get my head round that. It’s not that I’m putting myself down and it’s not a lack of confidence or a low self-esteem. It’s just I don’t know what that would look like.”
Cates added: “The thought of going on a date, spending an evening with someone and at the end of it thinking, ‘Well, I don’t really like you’, I would be so resentful of them taking up my time. Obviously it’s vice-versa, too, but I’m not really bothered about it from their perspective bearing in mind I don’t get to see the people I do like very often.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
