Reality star Vicky Pattison has revealed the dramatic steps she and her husband Ercan Ramadan took to escape Dubai as tensions in the Middle East triggered travel chaos across the region.
The former Geordie Shore star, 32, told fans she and Ercan made an exhausting 11-hour journey by car from Dubai to neighbouring Oman after three separate flights were cancelled. The couple had initially hoped to escape by flying to Australia or New Zealand, but ultimately decided their only goal was getting safely back to the UK.
Sharing the update on social media, Vicky apologised to followers for her recent silence, explaining that events had been changing so rapidly she didn’t want to say anything that might fuel further panic.
She wrote that the past week had been difficult and unpredictable, saying she and Ercan had tried to remain calm while deciding the safest way to leave the UAE.
“We’re so sorry for our radio silence over the last week,” she told fans, explaining that the situation had been “changing so rapidly” that they didn’t want to post anything “insensitive or hyperbolic that would add to the rising panic around the situation”.
The TV personality reassured fans that she and her husband were safe, adding that after three cancelled flights they realised their chances of making it to Australia or New Zealand had disappeared.
“We really appreciate all your messages of concern and just wanted to reassure everyone that we’re fine,” she said. “After three cancelled flights and the realisation that we definitely weren’t going to make it on to Australia and New Zealand we wanted to try and get home as quickly and safely as possible.”
Instead, the couple opted for a road journey to Oman, travelling with friends in a private transfer arranged from Dubai.
According to Vicky, the trip lasted around 11 hours in total, including several hours spent at the border crossing while officials checked passports and documents.
“We made our way to Oman from Dubai with some of our friends via private transfer,” she explained, noting the drive took about 11 hours including two to three hours waiting at the border.
Despite the stress of the past week, Vicky acknowledged that some people in Dubai still felt safe, but she and Ercan simply wanted to get back to their everyday lives.
She explained that their main motivation was returning home to their beloved dogs Milo and Max and resuming normal life and work in the UK.
“I understand that there are a lot of people still in Dubai feeling really calm and safe,” she said. “However, we wanted to be back to our babies, work and normality and we felt like Oman was our best option.”
Reflecting on the frightening uncertainty of the past few days, Vicky also stressed that she felt grateful to have the resources to travel and leave the situation behind.
She acknowledged that the world felt increasingly unpredictable and said she was thinking about those who remained anxious or stuck elsewhere.
“The last week has been quite unsettled and we understand people feeling unsafe and uncertain,” she said. “We have experienced moments like that, but ultimately feel like it’s important we acknowledge our position of privilege.”
Vicky ended the message by thanking the hotel staff and UAE authorities who she said had helped keep visitors safe and informed during the tense period.
She told followers she hoped to enjoy a few final days exploring Oman before eventually flying home to the UK within the next few days.
Meanwhile, the situation has left many travellers stranded across the region.
One British influencer currently trapped in Dubai revealed she could face a £3,000 bill while waiting for flights to resume.
Lily Mann, 25, had travelled to the city with her boyfriend James Shires, 33, for what was meant to be a one-week holiday. However, after their flight to Manchester was cancelled, the couple have spent days desperately searching for alternative routes home.
She said that available flights were extremely limited and often priced at eye-watering amounts.
“The flights home are just not there,” she explained, adding that the few seats available were business or first class tickets costing close to £10,000.
As a result, the couple have been forced to extend their stay at a five-star hotel in Dubai while they wait for a way back to the UK.
Their unexpected delay has already added thousands of pounds in extra expenses, including accommodation and care for their dog back home.
The disruption comes as thousands of British travellers across the Middle East scramble to find flights after the escalating conflict triggered widespread travel delays and cancellations across the region.
