Luisa Zissman says ‘everything seems fine’ in Dubai before sharing plans to come back to the UK – while Ant Middleton reveals he is flying back IN on a near empty flight as stars share updates amid escalating conflict

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Luisa Zissman updated her fans on the situation in Dubai Wednesday, letting them know ‘everything is fine’ while she was out walking her dog.

A former contestant on The Apprentice is one of many celebrities who have moved to the UAE in recent years, attracted by the warm weather and the fact that there’s no income tax.

Reports from Dubai have been varied. While some social media personalities and reality TV stars say they feel safe, others have publicly shared their fear during recent missile attacks.

Ant Middleton was among a small number of people attempting to return to Dubai today, and he shared updates on his travels as he tried to rejoin his family.

Flights to and from the area have resumed after being suspended earlier this week when airlines cancelled all services and closed airports.

Luisa shared on Instagram that she was planning a work trip back to the UK, but she worried she might have trouble returning to Dubai afterward.

To be honest, things seem okay here. The kids finished school a week early. I’m scheduled to return to the UK on Monday for work and I’m hoping that trip can still happen. I’m seeing a lot of planes flying overhead.

I’m concerned that if I return to the UK for work, I might not be able to return to Dubai. Because of this, I’m planning to bring my children with me and also visit my parents while I’m there.

Luisa posted a video of herself enjoying time with her dog, letting her followers know she was feeling great and could hear airplanes flying above.

Ant shared photos from his trip, including a selfie from an airport lounge, and mentioned he was hoping to return to Dubai.

Ant, 45, posted a picture of an almost empty airplane, suggesting he was among the few passengers traveling back to the UAE.

He announced his successful return, sharing that he had landed back in Dubai with his family, Emilie and their children.

Ant has five children in total. He and his current wife, Emilie, have four children together: Shyla, Gabriel, Priseïs, and Bligh. He also has a son named Oakley from a previous relationship.

Once he had got back to his home he posted a picture with one of his daughters. 

Yasmine Zweegers, a contestant on MasterChef Australia, shared that she was lucky to avoid recent issues in Dubai, where she had been for much of the month.

Yasmine, age 26, was at the Qatar Open cheering on her boyfriend, Julian Cash, who is a professional tennis player.

Julian teamed up with Lloyd Glasspool, another British player, for the doubles tournament. They were the top-ranked team entering the competition, but unfortunately lost in the final match.

Yasmine shared with her followers that she and her family had flown home just before Iran launched its airstrikes, managing to catch the very last flight before the airspace was shut down.

She said: ‘So grateful for a beautiful February in Doha & Dubai, such special memories were made. 

Honestly, it was a whirlwind! We barely made it back to London before all the flights were grounded. We booked our seats just hours before the airspace closed, and we didn’t even realize how close we were to being stranded until after! It really makes you appreciate how things can fall into place – or not – at the last minute, doesn’t it?

‘Thinking of everyone who’s been affected and sending so much love.’

People living in Dubai are sharing posts online emphasizing that the country is still a very safe place, even as tourists and British citizens rush to book flights home. Some families are reportedly spending as much as £100,000 for private jets to leave.

Even with Iranian missile and drone attacks causing travel chaos across the region – disrupting airports, cancelling flights, and leaving thousands of British citizens stranded – a remarkable online effort is underway.

Although the United Arab Emirates claims its air defenses are stopping most attacks, the Daily Mail has discovered a more worried situation exists behind the scenes, despite what’s shown on social media.

Many social media influencers are reportedly afraid to share their opinions publicly, worrying they could face deportation, imprisonment, or lose their property.

The Daily Mail spoke with a content creator in Dubai who said people are afraid to voice any criticism.

Influencers, with their large online audiences, are aware that their content is closely monitored. Many believe they’ve received guidance to avoid causing unnecessary alarm or fear online.

In the UAE, you could face hefty fines – as much as £200,000 – or up to five years in prison for criticizing the government, spreading false information, or harming the country’s image. After serving any prison sentence, you would also be deported.

According to critics, this has created a situation where influencers and celebrities are cautious about publicly sharing anything that contradicts the official narrative that Dubai is safe and continuing business as usual.

In recent days, several popular British influencers, such as Vicky Pattison from Geordie Shore, have spoken out to say that the emirate is a safe place to visit.

However, many people stuck in the Gulf have now shared their frantic attempts to return home, highlighting the widespread fear and anxiety they’re experiencing.

Laura Anderson, a former contestant on Love Island, and her two-year-old daughter, Bonnie, were able to get on a flight to Edinburgh.

The influencer, who was visiting her sister, told followers that she was ‘praying for safe skies’.

Oh my gosh, she posted! Right before her flight took off, she said they were finally doing it, but she’s trying not to get too excited, taking things one step at a time. And she said the airport was so empty, which is what you’d expect, but everyone was so kind and helpful… she even admitted she was a little choked up! I’m seriously melting just thinking about it.

‘Praying for safe skies (as I’ve always said when someone flies) it just means more now.

The atmosphere on board is really subdued – I think everyone’s a bit anxious, just like me. Luckily, my dad’s favorite song is playing, which is lifting my spirits.

She then clarified her statement, expressing gratitude to the UAE government for their ongoing protection of her and her loved ones. She added that she would always cherish her time as an expatriate.

Love Islander Sam Gowland shared that he was trying to leave Dubai for the fourth time on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old reality star posted a video showing him getting ready to go to the airport, explaining his flight had been cancelled for the third time. He’d managed to book another one for 10am and is hoping this one finally goes as planned.

Shortly after Iran launched its initial retaliatory missile attacks on Saturday, Dubai officials cautioned people against sharing images and videos online depicting fires or damage within the city.

Officials claimed ‘outdated images of past incidents’ were being shared to spread fear.

The statement warned that anyone who shares this content illegally under UAE law will face legal consequences.

The UAE’s The National newspaper, often criticized for being a government-controlled publication, reported on Wednesday that life in Old Dubai was continuing normally.

The traditional markets are lively with activity, as people browse the goods, look for bargains, and take pictures, especially at the spice market. Tourists from all over the world are drawn in by treats like Labubus and chocolates with the Dubai brand. Despite global events, there’s a sense of normalcy and no apparent fear.

Vicky Pattison, 38, who used to be on the show Geordie Shore, said reports that Dubai was being bombed were exaggerated.

According to official government sources, the missile defense system is working effectively at intercepting incoming missiles. However, the damage and resulting injuries are being caused by debris falling from those interceptions.

Luisa Zissman, a former contestant on The Apprentice who now lives in Dubai with her family, has called the country ‘the safest in the world’.

The 38-year-old also shared that she heard explosions and had made preparations in her basement for potential emergencies.

I just heard from her, and she said things were pretty loud last night, but right now it’s okay. She’s mostly just stressed about not knowing what’s going to happen or when everything will be over. It’s a really worrying time, and I’m sending her all my support.

Petra Ecclestone, a 37-year-old British socialite and influencer, shared with her followers that she and her family had moved to Dubai seeking security, and were beginning to feel settled when an unforeseen event occurred.

She shared on Instagram, describing the feeling of safety and strength she experienced in the UAE, saying, ‘This is what safety feels like. This is what resilience looks like. This is UAE.’

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2026-03-05 12:20