Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has spoken out with the former England star currently living in Dubai amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel and the USA
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has given an update(Image: Instagram)
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Rio Ferdinand has spoken out about life in a Dubai lockdown amid a series of missile strikes around his home.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand, 47, and wife Kate, 34, moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last August alongside children Shae, five, Cree, two, as well as Rio's daughter Tia, 14.
He joined a long list of celebrities that have opted to move to the Middle East, with ex-boxer Amir Khan and Hollywood star Lindsey Lohan among the others to settle in Dubai.
But across the last couple of days, Dubai has been under attack from Iran, leaving Ferdinand in limbo and "frightened" about the future for his wife and three children.
"Been a different week for me, not going to lie," Ferdinand said on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents. "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.
"I've got to be honest guys, it's been a bit of a scary situation but at the same time weirdly enough I've felt very secure and looked after. My studio has become my bunker.
"We were advised to go into the basement on the first night of all the noise started and we were down here sleeping with duvets and stuff. We are utilising the space wisely."
Rio Ferdinand and wife Kate in Dubai.
Ferdinand moved his young family to Dubai in 2025(Image: rioferdy5/Instagram)
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Former TOWIE star and TV personality Kate, meanwhile, provided an update on the family's current situation and reassured fans they were safe following a "very scary night".
She wrote: "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.
"The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands. 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 other children, Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, did not relocate to Dubai with the rest of the family as they continued to build their football careers back home in the United Kingdom.
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