Duncan Bannatyne Defends Dubai Expats Amid Iranian Drone Strikes
Former Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne has jumped to the defence of British expats and influencers residing in Dubai, following a wave of online criticism. The 77-year-old entrepreneur insists the city remains 'perfectly safe' despite Iran's recent suicide drone bombardment across the Middle East.
Online Backlash Over Evacuation Plans
Mr Bannatyne has been actively responding to critics on social media platform X, who have highlighted the perceived irony of British citizens who relocated to the United Arab Emirates for safety now expecting taxpayer-funded evacuations. In one reply, he stated: 'Not one Dubai resident has expressed a desire to leave as far as I know. The British that need to vacate are on holiday or on business in Dubai.'
He further emphasised: 'No matter how much you want it to be different Dubai is perfectly safe & nobody is running away from it.' This comes as Tehran launched retaliation strikes against Israel and Gulf states, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli attacks.
Escalating Violence and Panic in Dubai
The situation intensified when an Iranian missile struck the five-star Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah on Saturday, injuring four people and setting the building ablaze. Panic spread through Dubai, home to over 240,000 British nationals, with the iconic Burj Khalifa being evacuated over fears it could be targeted. UK tourists reportedly hid in basements as missiles flew overhead.
Officials are now planning to evacuate thousands of British citizens across the Gulf region after further explosions were heard in Dubai, Doha, and Manama on Monday morning. Approximately 94,000 British nationals have registered their contact details with the Foreign Office for assistance.
Influencers Face Criticism for Downplaying Crisis
Despite the imminent danger, many Dubai-based influencers continue to portray a positive image of the city. Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire, who relocated to Dubai in January, faced backlash after posting a video of himself getting ready for a date as missiles rained down. The 30-year-old influencer, with over 444,000 Instagram followers, later turned off comments and posted an explanation, claiming technical issues caused the ill-timed post.
Similarly, influencer Sam Palmer questioned why people harbour so much hate for Dubai in a video posted on Monday morning. He expressed disbelief at comments suggesting schadenfreude over the situation, stating: 'And it seems like because people have moved to Dubai other people around the world are laughing because this has happened, like "Ah, that's what you get for leaving England".'
Mixed Reactions from Public Figures
While some influencers downplay the crisis, others have expressed genuine fear. Socialite Petra Ecclestone described Saturday night as 'one of the worst, most scary nights' of her life. Model Hofit Golan shared chilling footage from her hotel balcony, expressing shock that such events could occur in what she considered the safest city in the world.
Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison revealed she and her partner are now 'stuck in Dubai' after their flight to Sydney was cancelled. She assured followers they are safe in their hotel but acknowledged the scary situation unfolding.
Government Response and Travel Chaos
The UAE has partially and temporarily closed its airspace as a precaution, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. Dubai International Airport shut down amid global flight chaos, with smoke visible in the area. Authorities have reportedly threatened residents with fines up to £40,000 or imprisonment for sharing videos of the strikes, limiting information flow from the city.
The UK Government has stated its priority is 'the safety of UK nationals' in the Middle East, offering consular assistance while emphasising they stand ready to protect British interests. A spokesperson added: 'We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.'
As the situation develops, the debate continues between those defending Dubai's safety and those criticising the response to the crisis, highlighting the complex dynamics of expat life in a region facing unprecedented threats.
