Celebrity genealogist Cat Whiteaway’s journey into broadcasting took a rather winding path. She gained a ‘first’ in sports science at UWIC. Whilst studying for a M.Phil she was invited to lecture in exercise psychology and health issues she became a senior lecturer. Whilst in Cardiff Cat also worked as a lifeguard; waterskiing instructor and was in the first ever Welsh squad for women’s rugby – in the front row!
Cat then trained as a ‘Probate Investigator’ – locating missing beneficiaries of people who had died without leaving a will. What she found particularly satisfying about this was the ability to reunite people with an inheritance but, more importantly, provide them with details of their family history. This was to be the start of a career that would make her a well known and much respected radio and television presenter. |
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In 2000 The Times ran a large article on Cat and her ‘Probate Business’ which captured the interest of Radio 4 who then proceeded to make a programme on Cat and her probate cases.
Cat’s ‘big break’ came when she was asked to locate possible Welsh ancestors for Donny Osmond for a BBC 1 Wales on St David’s Day in 2005. As a result of the excellent delivery of what was asked of her Cat was credited as associate producer which in turn led to a number of great areas of work.
As part of BBC 1 Wales "Coming Home" series she has worked with Donny Osmond, Cilla Black, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Mower and Janet Street-Porter. |
For BBC 2W “Look Up Your Genes” her colleagues included the likes of Roy Noble, Derek Brockway, Stuart Cable, Josie D’Arby, Shan Cothi, Rachel James, Rhun ap Iorwerth .
Not content to rest on her laurels Cat has also turned her hand to writing, gracing the pages of magazines and websites on a vast variety of subjects including the long process of barn conversion, health and fitness, probate investigations, missing people , lost assets and many
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