ITV Journalist and Sports Commentator Rishi Persad has been trapped in Dubai amid military action in the region.
Persad was scheduled to fly back from the Middle East on Sunday ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, but several flight cancellations have left him stranded in the conflict.
The last information shared was that he remained hopeful of returning to the UK on Thursday afternoon after securing a scheduled flight, adding: “There’s no contingency plan.”
However, he has shared “It changes everyday…It’s just simply a case of waiting” he says to Joe.co.uk. It is unclear where he is now and what the situation is.
He has shared a frightening account of witnessing a missile attack while hosting a horse racing event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Persad travelled to Dubai the previous Thursday to cover the Super Saturday race meeting at Meydan racecourse for Racing TV.
However, he was completely unaware that conflict had erupted until fellow ITV racing presenter Megan Nicholls, who is also stranded in the United Arab Emirates, broke the news to him that the war had broken out.
Speaking to The Sun, Rishi says, “There are explosions and missiles being fired and they’re being intercepted.” He adds “But I feel relatively safe in our hotel which is a little bit away from the coast.”
“Obviously, there’s a long list of people who need to get back home so it’s just a question of waiting with fingers crossed.” Persad is just one of thousands of people stuck in the Middle East as flights are being cancelled, delayed or rerouted.
Rishi was desperate to return to the UK for his wife’s 50th birthday, today, Friday, March 6, and to undertake presenting duties for ITV at the Cheltenham Festival from Tuesday (March 10).
“I’d love to be home for Holly’s birthday and hope that it’s not an issue getting to Cheltenham.” He added. “Holly and my 15-year-old daughter Evie are understandably a bit worried.” He explains that throughout his career, they have never had to be worried about his safety before.
BBC News stated that according to Flightradar24, 4000 flights a day had been cancelled across the region as of 2nd March 2026.
