A growing exodus of high-profile British celebrities and business figures is underway, with Dubai emerging as the destination of choice. Fuelled by a desire for year-round sunshine, a safer environment, and significant financial incentives, stars from reality TV, sports, and business are trading the UK for the Arabian Peninsula.
The New Wave of British Expatriates
While Dubai has long attracted influencers and reality TV personalities, the demographic is broadening. This year has seen a notable influx of established businesspeople and sporting legends making the permanent move. The trend highlights deepening concerns over UK issues, including crime rates, grey weather, and proposed fiscal policies like Labour's controversial mansion tax.
The most recent high-profile defector is Luisa Zissman, 38, the star of The Apprentice. This month, she revealed plans to relocate to the UAE with two of her three children to join her Irish millionaire husband, Andrew Collins, 59, who has already moved from the UK. She follows in the footsteps of Kate and Rio Ferdinand and Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone and her husband, Sam Palmer.
Seeking Safety, Sun and Financial Benefits
For Luisa Zissman, the decision was clear-cut. Responding to a follower on social media who asked about her reasons for leaving, she cited "Safety, lifestyle, weather, financially everything is better for us." She expressed being "sick of miserable grey skies and miserable grey people," highlighting a common sentiment among the movers. Her complex relocation involves moving five horses and two nannies, with the family first taking a reset holiday in the Maldives.
Petra Ecclestone, 37, is also set to move to Dubai in the new year. Her husband, Sam Palmer, 42, enthusiastically confirmed the plans. The mother of four explained her decision stems from safety fears, stating, "The crime in America is awful and we want a safe environment for our kids... It's the gun crime and the shootings." While they own a £170 million mansion in Chelsea, personal reasons preclude a return to London, compounded by a traumatic £26 million burglary at her sister Tamara's Kensington home in 2019.
Sporting Stars Chase a New Chapter
Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, 46, and his wife, Kate Ferdinand, 34, swapped south-east London for a £6.5 million home in Dubai's exclusive Al Barari community in August. Ferdinand, who left his punditry role at TNT Sports in May, cited multiple reasons for the fresh start.
"Lifestyle, safety, weather and just a new life," he said, adding that the education system in Dubai felt "different, felt better for my kids." He noted that teachers in the UK feel "undervalued, underpaid," and welcomed the break from a life governed by football's fixture list after 30 years.
Retired boxer Amir Khan also purchased a luxury holiday home in Dubai in 2022, following a gunpoint robbery in London that left him feeling unsafe in the UK. He now splits his time between his native Bolton and the UAE with his wife Faryal and their three children.
A Trend Set by Reality TV Personalities
The migration has been paved by figures from the world of reality television. Arabella Chi moved to Dubai in August with partner Billy Henty and their baby daughter, seeking a settled life. Amber Turner, formerly of The Only Way Is Essex, relocated after her 2023 split from Dan Edgar and now documents her new life there.
Former Love Island star Laura Anderson made the move in May 2021, sharing a penthouse with then-boyfriend Dane Bowers, though she has since returned to the UK. Their initial moves highlighted the appealing blend of luxury living, constant sunshine, and a vibrant social scene that Dubai offers.
The collective flight of these wealthy and influential individuals underscores a significant shift. It points to a growing perception that Dubai offers a superior quality of life, combining financial advantages, enhanced personal security, and a more positive environment for families—factors that an increasing number feel are diminishing in the UK.
