InstagramXScotland legend Graeme Souness is among celebrities taking shelter in Abu Dhabi and Dubai after the US and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran and the UAE closed its air space.
The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
Posting on Instagram, the former Scotland captain said: “My mum said to me – bear with me – when I was a little boy, ‘Wherever you are, there’s never a dull moment’.”
Souness said he had been looking forward to watching the Old Firm derby on Sunday – which he described as “the biggest game of the season” for him.
X“We’re hearing some pretty loud bangs going off and that is anti-missiles taking out missiles that are being fired at some American base,” Souness told his followers.
His flight was then cancelled and he said would have to check-in at a hotel.
He said that although he and others might feel “grumpy” about the disruption that it was important to think of those who could be killed in the attacks.
Reality star Vicky Pattison was also among those left stuck.
The former I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here winner and Strictly Come Dancing star had been enjoying a break in Dubai with husband Ercan Ramadan, best known for The Only Way Is Essex, but her departing flight to Australia has been cancelled.
She wrote on her Instagram story: “Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening.
“But like many others out flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai.
“We are receiving a lot of messages from people asking if we’re ok which we are.
“We are currently in our hotel and have been assured we’re safe.
“We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and I’m also aware that there’s a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning.
“I’m not sure what else to say, other than we’re doing our best to stay calm, not feed any unconfirmed narratives and we’re thinking of everyone who is feeling unsettled and unsafe right now.”
Earlier Pattison had shared a video of herself and her husband eating breakfast in the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool at Zeta Seventy Seven at the Address Beach Resort in Dubai.
Former Love Island star Laura Anderson had also recently arrived in Dubai with her daughter Bonnie when the Iranian retaliation started and air defence fire was seen over the UAE’s commercial hub.
She wrote on Instagram: “Horrendous situation. Bonnie and I are fine.”
Her fellow Love Island star Arabella Chi is also in Dubai with her daughter Gigi and wrote on Instagram: “Dubai friends. Scary times. Stay safe.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned “indiscriminate Iranian strikes” after a fire broke out at a luxury hotel in Dubai.
In a statement on X, Cooper said she had spoken to her Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan “to express our solidarity with the UAE”.
She said: “The scenes in the Palm Hotel in Dubai are awful. The UK condemns these indiscriminate Iranian strikes.”
The Foreign Office said Britons in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates should register their presence with the UK Government to receive updates on the situation in the Middle East.
In a post on social media site X, the Foreign Office said: “British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East.
“You should continue to follow travel advice and the advice of the local authorities.”
People can register at GOV.UK which has different links for each country.
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