Ben Shephard has found himself at the centre of a growing social media storm after openly praising Dubai in a recent interview – with critics accusing the This Morning host of being “tone deaf”.
The 51-year-old presenter returned to This Morning on February 23 alongside co-host Cat Deeley following their half-term break. But it wasn’t his on-screen performance that got viewers talking – it was his candid reflections on past holidays.
Speaking to The Times about family trips to Cornwall and Norfolk, Ben also reminisced about his affection for Dubai, explaining how the city left a lasting impression on him and his wife Annie.
“My older brother, Toby, is a doctor and lives in Singapore, but he used to live in Dubai, and I can see why people fall in love with Dubai because I did too,” Ben said.
He continued: “The hotels are incredible. I love going somewhere where I can switch off and not worry about anything. The first time we visited Dubai will always be special to me and Annie because it was before our sons, Jack and Sam, were born.”
Recalling that trip, he added: “We stayed at the Royal Mirage, which is a beautiful hotel. It rained every day while I was at work, hosting a conference for Sony Electronics, and Annie broke the world record for how many treatments a person can have in a day at the spa.”
However, what may have seemed like a light-hearted reflection quickly turned controversial.
Backlash erupts online
Under posts referencing the interview on Instagram, critics were quick to challenge Ben’s glowing description of the emirate.
“What’s not to love about Dubai?” one follower asked sarcastically, prompting another to respond: “Perhaps their disregard for human rights, their homophobia, misogyny and outrageous capitalism?”
“Oh dear,” another commented bluntly.
One user wrote: “Loving Dubai says everything you need to know about an individual.”
Another fumed: “Really Ben?! Purpose-built concrete jungle… no history… no wildlife… no culture. Just restaurants and rich people.”
A further critic concluded: “This is tone deaf.”
While Ben has yet to publicly respond to the backlash, the debate highlights how even seemingly innocent travel anecdotes can ignite fierce online reactions – especially when public figures are involved.
