Rio and Kate Ferdinand flee £6.5m mansion in Dubai for Portugal after sleeping in basement amid missile strikes
RIO and Kate Ferdinand have fled Dubai for their holiday home in Portugal after being left “scared” by missile strikes on the UAE.
Former Towie star Kate, 34, relocated to the celeb favourite hotspot last year with her hubby and football pundit, Rio, 47, and was one of countless Brits caught up in the conflict.
Previously, she told how the family had been forced to sleep in their basement after Iran launched a barrage of rockets at nations across the Middle East.
In the terrifying situation, which is still ongoing, Iran vowed revenge for the US and Israel’s huge blitz on the regime.
Now the celebrity couple and their children Cree, five, and Shae, two, and Rio’s 14-year-old daughter, Tia, from his first marriage, have headed to their European retreat.
Former Manchester United player Rio has uploaded a snap showing him swigging a Super Bock beer in the surroundings of their Portugal home.
In his caption he referred to the weekend’s football scores and wrote: “That feeling when Liverpool + Chelsea drop points in the race for the top 4!
“Happy Saturday People!”
He sat against the white walled terrace of the stunning villa in the Algarve near Quinta do Lago, with bright sunshine and trees in the background.
Liverpool had lost at Brighton 2-1 while Chelsea suffered a 3-0 hammering at Everton.
Kate has not addressed the location change on her social media, with the most recent upload being a clip from her Blended podcast.
Previously, on her show, she had opened up on the family’s actions amid the missile strikes.
As the United Arab Emirate’s top holiday hot spot, Dubai has become a sought after travel destination for celebrities and influencers.
Kate previously told her fans they spent “a very scary night” sleeping in their basement.
“Thank you for all of your messages and sorry for the silence, I haven’t wanted to worry you all I just haven’t been able to find the words. We are safe,” she said on Instagram.
“The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands.”
She added: “We are hoping for a calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary. Although Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn’t believe we all got a sleepover in the basement.
“Thank you for all of your prayers, this whole experience is very eye-opening and I am praying for anyone affected. Lots of love to everyone.”
Rio’s sons Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, did not move over when they relocated from the UK last year to focus on their football careers.
Previously, Rio also admitted he had been “scared” when the pair were trapped in Dubai during the Covid-like lockdown.
Speaking on his show Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former Manchester United and England defender said: “Been a different week for me, not going to lie.
“Firstly, I’m in great condition this morning as the whole family did a workout.
“A bit like in Covid, the whole family is doing things we wouldn’t usually be doing together.
“Home-schooling a bit today.
“It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets – I don’t know what it is – going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs, and what that is we don’t know as we don’t know the details of what they are.
“It’s telling your kids what it is and helping them navigate through this moment, which is important especially as the dad of the house.
“You want to try and remain calm and keep everybody as calm as possible.”
Ferdinand added: “I’ve got to be honest guys, it’s been a bit of a scary situation.”