Why Kelly Cates doesn't use her famous dad's surname

The broadcaster's father is a famous star in his own right.

Manchester City FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League — Kelly Cates is an experienced broadcaster (Image: Getty)

One of the most recognised sports broadcasters in the business, Kelly Cates is a television and radio extraordinaire. One of three rotating Match of the Day hosts, Cates is also known for her work on Sky Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live.

When it comes to football, few people know their onions more than the Glasgow-born presenter. In fairness, though, it does run in the family…

That’s because to this day some people are still shocked to find out that Cates is the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish. Whether it’s down to moving south of the border at an early age and losing the thick Scottish accent, or not using her dad’s surname, there are still some who aren’t aware of the famous family connection.

But what is the reason Kelly goes by Cates and not Dalglish? It maybe isn’t the reason most might initially think.

Often, a famous person will ditch their family name after getting married, but for Cates, it’s very different. That’s because she didn’t want her own success in the broadcasting industry to be attributed to any connections her father might’ve had.

Explaining this in an interview, Cates said: “Just as his success isn’t my success, then what I do doesn’t have any bearing on him.

“I struggled to make that distinction early on. If I mentioned him early on (in my career), it felt like I was living off him and his reputation and career.

“But I can be both. I can be his daughter and I can have my own career. It’s taken me far too long to get to that point.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League — Kenny Dalglish is the father of Kelly Cates (Image: Getty)

Cates started out in the industry as one of the original presenters on Sky Sports News when the show launched in 1998. She’s gone from strength to strength since and is now one of the best in the business, but perhaps most importantly, commands the respect of her fellow peers.

Commenting on her credentials, Ed Chamberlin told the Daily Mail: “The one thing Kelly has above all is warmth and that’s exactly what you want a presenter to have for a Saturday night TV audience.

“You are inviting someone into your sitting room and you want to feel at ease with them.

“Don’t have any concerns on that score whatsoever. The show will thrive with Kelly, Mark and Gabby. I go back a long way with Kelly – she was my favourite co-presenter from the years we had at Sky.”

He added: “We were on Sky Sports News and then she’d deputise for Kirsty Gallagher on a show called 90 Minutes.

“Nothing was ever a problem for her, she took it all in her stride. We had an incredible rapport. You always had to be on your guard with her as she doesn’t miss a trick and doesn’t let you away with anything.

“She’s witty, she’s charming but don’t let that take away from anything else.”