Kelly Cates is a Scottish sports broadcaster and presenter who has become one of the most recognisable faces in football coverage. She currently works for Sky Sports, BBC Sport, and BBC Radio 5 Live, and has co-hosted programmes such as 606 and Match of the Day. She is also the daughter of Liverpool and Scotland legend Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Born in Glasgow in September 1975, Cates built a career entirely on her own merits, moving from a mathematics degree to a job at the newly launched Sky Sports News in 1998. Over the past 27 years she has worked for ESPN, ITV, and Channel 5, and returned to Sky in 2016 to cover Premier League football. In 2025 the BBC announced she would co-host Match of the Day alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.
Despite her public profile, many details about her personal life remain private. Questions about her partner, height, weight, and net worth frequently appear in search results, though not all of these have been confirmed by Cates herself or by reliable sources. This article draws on the available verified information to provide a clear, factual overview.
Who Is Kelly Cates?
- Name: Kelly Cates (née Dalglish)
- Born: September 1975
- Profession: Sports broadcaster (Sky Sports, BBC, ESPN)
- Known For: Football presenting, BBC Radio 5 Live, 606 show
Key Insights
- Kelly Cates has been a prominent football broadcaster for over 27 years.
- She is the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish.
- She changed her professional surname to Cates from Dalglish to build her own identity.
- Her weight loss has been a topic of public curiosity but she has not publicly discussed it in detail.
- She has over 115,000 followers on Instagram.
Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kelly Cates (née Dalglish) |
| Date of Birth | September 1975 |
| Age (2025) | 50 years old |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Partner | Not publicly confirmed; previously linked to Tom Cates |
| Father | Kenny Dalglish |
| Profession | Sports broadcaster |
| Employers | Sky Sports, BBC, ESPN |
| Instagram Followers | 115K |
| Known For | Football presenting, 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live |
How Old Is Kelly Cates and What Are Her Physical Stats?
How old is Kelly Cates?
Kelly Cates was born in September 1975, which makes her 50 years old as of 2025. Her exact birth date is not widely published, but the month and year are confirmed by multiple sources, including her Wikipedia entry and recent news articles.
What is Kelly Cates’ height?
Kelly Cates’ height has not been publicly confirmed. One lower-quality biography site claims she is approximately 5 ft 5 in, but this figure is not corroborated by stronger sources and should be treated cautiously. No official profile or interview includes this detail.
Claims about Kelly Cates’ height or weight loss are not supported by verified public statements. Any information of this kind should be considered speculative unless confirmed by Cates herself or a reputable media outlet.
Did Kelly Cates lose weight?
Kelly Cates has not publicly discussed any weight loss regimen. Changes in appearance noted by some observers remain unconfirmed. The Evening Standard and other outlets have noted the public curiosity, but no reliable source provides a verified account of weight loss or diet.
Who Is Kelly Cates’ Partner and Family?
Who is Kelly Cates’ partner?
Kelly Cates was married to Tom Cates from 29 December 2007 until their separation in 2021, according to Wikipedia and The Independent. The split was reported as amicable, and the couple continue to co-parent their two daughters. As of the latest available information, Cates has not publicly confirmed a new partner. Some entertainment coverage mentions she has spoken about returning to dating, but no current partner is named.
No official source confirms a current partner for Kelly Cates. The name “Tom Cates” refers to her former husband, not a current relationship. Any claims about a new partner should be treated as speculation until confirmed by Cates or a reliable source.
Is Kelly Cates related to Kenny Dalglish?
Yes, Kelly Cates is the daughter of Sir Kenny Dalglish and his wife Marina Dalglish. Her father is a legendary figure in Scottish and English football, having played for Celtic and Liverpool and later managed both clubs. Cates has spoken in interviews about striving to build a career independent of his fame.
Does Kelly Cates have children?
Yes, Kelly Cates has two daughters with her former husband Tom Cates. The children’s names and ages are not publicly disclosed, in line with the family’s privacy preferences.
What Is Kelly Cates’ Career Background?
What shows does Kelly Cates present?
Kelly Cates began her broadcasting career at Sky Sports News in 1998 after leaving a mathematics degree at the University of Glasgow. She later worked for Setanta Sports News, ESPN, ITV (covering the 2010 World Cup), and Channel 5. She returned to Sky in 2016 and began presenting Premier League matches from 2017. She has been a regular host of the BBC Radio 5 Live phone-in show 606 alongside Ian Wright. In January 2025, the BBC announced she would co-host Match of the Day from the following season, alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.
What awards has Kelly Cates won?
Kelly Cates has been described as “award-winning” in multiple profiles, including a feature on Fearless Women and the Women’s Prize Bookshelfie interview. However, the specific awards she has won are not listed in the available sources. The references likely relate to industry recognition for sports broadcasting, but the exact honours remain unconfirmed.
Kelly Cates has worked in sports broadcasting for over 27 years, moving from a graduate trainee at Sky Sports News to a prime-time presenter on BBC and Sky. Her career path is a notable example of building a successful media career without relying on family connections.
What Is Kelly Cates’ Net Worth?
Kelly Cates’ net worth is not publicly available. Two different estimates appear online: one site suggests about $2 million, while a tabloid report mentions figures around £7.9 million (approximately $10 million). Both are third-party estimates with no audited basis. Given her long tenure at major broadcasters, it is likely substantial, but no reliable financial disclosure exists.
How to Find Kelly Cates on Social Media
Kelly Cates maintains an Instagram account with the handle @kellycates_, which has over 115,000 followers. The account is not officially verified on the platform, but it is widely referenced in articles and features. She uses the account to share broadcasting updates and personal moments. No official Twitter or Facebook accounts are confirmed in the available sources.
What Are the Key Milestones in Kelly Cates’ Career?
- 1975 – Born as Kelly Dalglish in September.
- 1998 – Began broadcasting career at Sky Sports News.
- 2000s – Worked for Sky Sports, BBC Sport, and ESPN.
- 2010 – Covered the World Cup for ITV.
- 2016 – Returned to Sky Sports.
- 2017 – Began presenting Premier League matches.
- 2020s – Continued as host of 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live.
- 2025 – Announced as co-host of Match of the Day.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Uncertain About Kelly Cates?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Kelly Cates is the daughter of Kenny Dalglish. | Her current partner is not publicly confirmed. |
| She is a sports broadcaster with Sky, BBC, and ESPN. | Her height is not confirmed in any public source. |
| She was born in September 1975. | Weight loss is not confirmed or discussed by her in interviews; it remains speculation based on visual changes. |
| Her professional name is Kelly Cates (née Dalglish). | Net worth estimates vary widely and are not audited. |
| She was married to Tom Cates (2007–2021) and has two daughters. | Exact birth date and specific awards are not publicly listed. |
Why Is Kelly Cates a Notable Figure?
Kelly Cates is notable both for her own accomplished broadcasting career spanning nearly three decades and for being the daughter of football legend Kenny Dalglish. She has built a reputation independent of her father’s fame, becoming one of the most recognisable female football presenters in the UK. Search interest spikes around personal details like her partner, weight, and age, reflecting public curiosity about her private life alongside her professional achievements.
What Do Sources Say About Kelly Cates?
“Kelly is an award-winning football presenter and broadcaster. She has been a familiar and much-loved face in the world of sports broadcasting for over 27 years.”
– Women’s Prize Bookshelfie (womensprize.com)
“Kelly Cates is an award-winning broadcaster who has successfully fronted sports reporting for two decades.”
– Fearless Women (fearlesswomen.co.uk)
“Kelly Cates presents 606 with Ian Wright on Sundays.”
– BBC Radio 5 Live profile
What Is the Overall Takeaway About Kelly Cates?
Kelly Cates is a respected sports broadcaster with a career spanning more than 25 years, known for her work on Sky Sports, BBC, and ESPN. While much of her professional life is well documented, many personal details remain private. Readers interested in similar profiles may also find the article about Steve McManaman – Career, Net Worth, Wife and Real Madrid Legacy informative. For a broader look at media personalities, see Jeremy Vine – Biography, Show Guests, Wife & Net Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kelly Cates
Is Kelly Cates married?
Kelly Cates was married to Tom Cates from 2007 until their separation in 2021. Her current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
Does Kelly Cates have children?
Yes, she has two daughters with her former husband Tom Cates.
What is Kelly Cates’ weight loss routine?
Kelly Cates has not publicly discussed any weight loss routine. Reported changes are based on public appearance, not confirmed by her.
What is Kelly Cates’ net worth?
Kelly Cates’ net worth is not publicly available. Estimates range from $2 million to around £7.9 million, but none are audited.
Why is Kelly Cates famous?
She is famous as a leading female football broadcaster in the UK, working for Sky Sports, BBC, and ESPN for over 27 years.
How tall is Kelly Cates?
Kelly Cates’ height has not been publicly confirmed. A single unverified source claims 5 ft 5 in.
What is Kelly Cates’ real name?
Her full name is Kelly Dalglish Cates, born Kelly Dalglish.
What shows does Kelly Cates present?
She presents 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live, Premier League coverage on Sky Sports, and will co-host Match of the Day from 2025.
How many Instagram followers does Kelly Cates have?
Her Instagram account @kellycates_ has over 115,000 followers.
Is Kelly Cates related to Kenny Dalglish?
Yes, she is the daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Edward Harcourt is Editor-in-Chief at MarketUK.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, editorial standards, publication decisions, source review and content quality. He writes occasional leader columns and major business stories.