‘Scared’ Rio and Kate Ferdinand stuck in Covid-like lockdown in Dubai as Man United legend breaks silence on ‘terrifying’ explosions amid Iran’s missile blitz in response to US attacks
Rio Ferdinand has spoken about being isolated in Dubai during a series of missile attacks around his home, giving an insight into how he had to explain the situation to his family and revealing he was hiding in his basement.
Manchester United legend Ferdinand, 47, moved to the UAE with his wife Kate, 34, in August last year with their two children Shae, five Cree and Rio’s 14-year-old daughter Tia.
However, in the last few days, Dubai has come under attack from Iran, and many celebrities who have moved to this area are fearful and unsure of what the future will bring.
In the last episode of the football program, Ferdinand said, “It’s been a different week for me, I won’t lie.” Rio Ferdinand Presents. ‘First of all, I’m in great shape because the whole family trained this morning. A bit like Covid, the whole family is doing things we wouldn’t normally do together.
‘I’m going to do some homeschooling today. When you hear the sound of missiles and planes and fighter jets – I don’t know what – passing over us, and when you hear the sound of big bombs, we don’t know what they are because we don’t know the details of what they are.
‘Explaining to your children what this is and helping them get through this moment is very important, especially as the father of the house. You want to try to stay calm and keep everyone as calm as possible.
Rio Ferdinand breaks silence on being stuck in Dubai lockdown as country targeted by missiles
The 47-year-old Man United legend moved to the UAE with his wife Kate (left), 34, in August last year.
Kate gave an update on their whereabouts on Instagram on Sunday, reassuring fans they were safe after a “very scary night.”
‘I have to be honest guys, it was a bit scary but at the same time, in a weird way, I felt very safe and cared for. My studio has become my sanctuary.
‘The first night the noise started we were advised to go to the basement and we were sleeping there with duvets and stuff. ‘We use space wisely.’
Former TOWIE star Kate gave an update on her family’s whereabouts on Instagram on Sunday, reassuring fans they were safe after a ‘very frightening night’.
He wrote: ‘Thank you for all your messages and I’m sorry for my silence, I didn’t mean to worry you all, I just couldn’t find the words. We are safe.
‘The government is doing a fantastic job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands.
‘We hope tonight will be calmer, last night was very scary. Even though Cree and Shae loved it, they couldn’t believe we were all having a sleepover in the basement.
‘Thank you for all your prayers, this whole experience has been so enlightening and I pray for everyone affected. Lots of love to everyone.’
Rio’s sons Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, did not move in with family when they moved to Dubai last year for their burgeoning football careers in the UK.
Kate wrote: ‘Thank you for all your messages and I’m sorry for being silent, I didn’t mean to worry you all, I just couldn’t find the words. ‘We are safe’
Ferdinand tells viewers about ‘scary’ situation, detailing how he slept in his family’s basement
The influencer previously admitted that it was difficult to return after a cozy Christmas in London and that she missed the comforts of home.
He previously said on the Blended podcast: ‘I feel like we’re opening our eyes to a different world. But I love London, I love England. I love so many things about the UK. I feel happy in Dubai, but I just miss a part of me.’
Kate added that the move has helped Rio become more ‘present’ with her family, following her departure from her job as a pundit at TNT Sports last year.
He said: ‘I think it’s a great place to live, I think it’s great for the kids. Children are thriving, happy, and living lives that are just beyond freedom.
‘Rio loves him so much. I enjoy it but I miss my home so much. I am sad. I miss the big kids so much and I struggle with it.
‘I know this decision is the right one for my young children and we have settled there as a family but the boys are pursuing their football careers. So they do what they want to do, otherwise they would be with us.
‘But it’s so hard because we’ve been through so much as a family and we’ve always been together and this is such a big change.’
