Vicky Pattison says having to flee Dubai was ‘surreal’ as star insists she and husband Ercan were ‘safe and well looked after’ amid the missile strikes and suicide drone attacks

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Oh my god, you will NOT believe what Vicky Pattison went through! She was telling me all about it – she said escaping Dubai when those Iranian missiles and drones started flying around was just… totally surreal. Like something out of a movie! She really opened up about how scary it all was, and honestly, I’m just so glad she’s safe. It sounds absolutely terrifying, and she described the whole ordeal so vividly!

The 38-year-old TV star and her partner left Dubai earlier this month because the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran caused disruption in the United Arab Emirates.

She explained that they’d had to drive for eleven hours to reach the border of Oman, fueled by growing worry, in an attempt to catch a flight back to the UK. This came after three previous flights had been cancelled.

The couple decided against flying to Australia or New Zealand, prioritizing a fast and safe return home to be with their dogs, Milo and Max.

Vicky said the experience sometimes felt unreal, but she and her husband were ultimately safe and received good care.

Speaking to The Sun, she said: ‘It was quite surreal at times when it all began unfolding. 

To be honest, we were safe and well cared for, and we really appreciate that. We mainly stayed in the hotel, kept up with the news, and waited for instructions about getting home, since there wasn’t much else we could do.

We’ve decided to put our plans to travel to Australia and New Zealand on hold. We were excited about that portion of our trip, but we hope to reschedule it for another time.

Vicky recently posted about her trip to Oman with her husband, Ercan, but explained that their priority was returning home after leaving Dubai.

After their original plans fell through, the couple still had a wonderful trip, enjoying the local attractions and even swimming with turtles.

She shared photos from their trip to Oman on Instagram last week, writing about how beautiful the country is. She added that they wish they’d had more time to explore, but getting home was their priority.

‘But I’m really happy we made the most of our last couple of days while we waited for our flight…

We had an amazing time snorkeling with turtles thanks to @daymaniyat_experts, and @stonevibes.oman gave us an incredible tour of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque!

She recently shared an update on her situation after a period of silence on social media, following the turmoil in the area.

She shared photos from their recent trip to Oman and explained their quietness online. They hadn’t wanted to say anything that might have seemed insensitive or made the already worrying situation even more alarming, especially as things were changing so quickly.

Thank you so much for all your kind messages! We wanted to let everyone know that we’re okay. After our flights to Australia and New Zealand were cancelled three times, we decided to focus on getting home safely and quickly.

She continued, explaining that while many people still in Dubai felt safe and relaxed, they wanted to return home to their children, jobs, and everyday lives. They believed Oman offered the best way to do that.

Recently, a few friends and I took a trip from Dubai to Oman, and I wanted to share a fantastic service we used for the journey. We opted for a private transfer, and I highly recommend @skyevipcarrental. They were incredibly professional, the price was right, and the ride was super comfortable – everything you want when traveling! It really made the trip that much more enjoyable.

Vicky explained that the entire trip took about 11 hours, with 2 to 3 hours spent going through border control to check paperwork and passports. It cost approximately £130 per person.

If you’re currently in Dubai and trying to find a way home through Oman, I’m posting details on my Twitter account, @vickysvacays. I don’t want to clutter things up here. We’re hoping to make the most of our remaining vacation days and explore Oman while we’re here.

Honestly, the past week has felt really unsettling, and I totally get why so many people are feeling anxious and insecure right now. I’ve definitely had moments like that myself. But it’s also a good time for all of us to step back and recognize the advantages we have – it’s important to acknowledge our privilege and how that shapes our experience.

We’re so relieved to be heading home and are keeping everyone who is feeling scared or anxious in these unsettling times in our thoughts.

We want to thank @addressbeachresort and @uaegov for ensuring our safety, keeping us calm, and providing updates as much as possible. We’ll continue to share information and hope to be home within the next few days.

Earlier this month, Vicky publicly criticized expats in Dubai who left their pets behind when escaping the recent missile attacks in the Middle East, calling their actions ‘shameful’.

Veterinarians are receiving more requests to euthanize pets as many British citizens currently in the area try to return home.

The TV star responded by posting on Instagram, saying people who abandon their pets never deserved to have them in the first place.

She expressed her disappointment with people abandoning pets in Dubai, stating they never deserved to have an animal in the first place and hoping the abandoned pets find loving new homes. She called the practice shameful.

K9 Friends Dubai, an organization that finds new homes for dogs, reports a surge in people wanting to give up their pets, and they’ve been receiving many calls about abandoned puppies.

As a lifestyle expert who cares deeply about animals, I’m seeing a really heartbreaking trend. Animal rescues are working tirelessly to find homes and shelter for pets in need, but unfortunately, we’re also seeing a surge in online posts about abandoned animals. It’s a tough situation, and it really highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Sadly, some pet owners have been unable or unwilling to take their healthy pets with them when they move, leading veterinarians to have to euthanize them due to the expense and hassle of relocation.

Claire Hopkins, who lives in Dubai and volunteers with local animal groups and shelters, explained that these organizations are struggling financially. Fundraising is heavily restricted in Dubai, and they can’t use platforms like GoFundMe.

Many pet owners are feeling stressed and worried right now. This seems to be a widespread issue, and while British owners seem to be handling it relatively well, the UAE is home to people from over 200 different countries, each reacting in their own way.

‘Some people want to give back their adoptive pets. There are dogs starting to be abandoned.

Airlines aren’t currently transporting pets due to limited flight availability. Plus, if you need a rabies vaccination, you’ll have to postpone your trip for another three weeks.

‘I’m sorry to say that vets have had inquiries about euthanasia, which is disgusting.

‘Most vets would pass them on to the shelters, but we’re already full.’

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2026-03-21 19:04