Lee Andrews has hit back against claims he has a “travel ban”, after missing a scheduled TV appearance with his wife Katie Price.
The couple, who tied the knot in January just days after they first met, were due to appear together on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.
The show teased their joint appearance on social media, but the posts were removed after bosses were informed Lee would be unable to reach the UK.
Katie Price and Lee Andrews
For months, it has been reported that 43-year-old Lee is unable to leave Dubai, where he currently lives, due to an alleged travel ban.
Following Good Morning Britain’s broadcast, Lee took to his Instagram stories to film a video message inside the airport.
“Hello everyone. Yes, I’m at the airport and I’m flying to my wife, who did very well on Good Morning Britain today,” he praised.
Lee Andrews | Instagram
“I’m on my way to her. I had a couple of things I had to do last minute, I couldn’t make the show. I was hoping to get on there over the Zoom link, but they just carried on with Katie which she did really, really well,” he continued.
Lee then went on to deny allegations that he has a “travel ban” and that he had been “detained” at the airport.
“No one was detained, I don’t know where that came from. There’s obviously a lot of police in the airport, cameras and everything, so I’m definitely not a wanted man,” he insisted.
Katie Price and Lee Andrews | Instagram
Sharing a message to Katie, Lee continued: “I can’t wait to get to my wife. I’m really looking forward to seeing you, Katie. I love you so much, I’m on my way to you.”
Lee added: “Yeah, sorry that I got delayed and I couldn’t make the show, guys. It would have been great, but we’ll get on the sofa soon. Anyway, I love you all. Keep it real all of you, and don’t listen to any noise. I’m definitely not someone who is being detained.”
During the broadcast on Tuesday morning, GMB anchor Susanna Reid confirmed that Katie would appear on the show alone.
Lee Andrews and Katie Price
She told viewers: “Katie Price is back with us in the studio. We invited them both [Katie and Lee] into the studio and initially yes, we though that would happen.
“But Lee didn’t make his flight from Dubai, we are going to find out why when Katie joins us alone after 8.”
Back in April, the former glamour model appeared to confirm her husband is subject to a travel ban, despite repeated denials from him.
Katie Price and Lee Andrews | Instagram
During an episode of her podcast with her sister Sophie, Katie was asked to clarify her husband’s current travel situation.
“Of course I’m going back to Dubai and Lee will come here when he needs to. People have to remember he’s lived in Dubai for 21 years,” the 47-year-old explained.
“That’s where he lives and where he does his work. There’ll be a time when he does come to England and he’ll be with me.”
Katie Price and Lee Andrews | Instagram
Sophie then asked: “I thought he had a travel ban?”
Katie responded: “Do you know what? Everyone has said to me you can get a travel ban over anything in Dubai.
“A parking ticket or if you owe a bill for electricity or something… you can get a travel ban for absolutely anything,” she claimed further.
Sophie continued: “Do they do anything like that over here?”
Katie Price and Lee Andrews | Instagram
Katie added: “No. If they did, I’d be banned for life! But yeah, you can get one for even breathing the wrong way in Dubai. It’s so strict.”
According to legal experts Chambers and Partners, it is unlikely that a person would be hit with a travel ban if they had a single, unpaid parking ticket in Dubai.
However, if the person received multiple fines and they remained unpaid for a significant amount of time, and if they exceed AED 10,000, the issue could potentially lead to a civil case and to a travel ban.
Katie Price and Lee Andrews
Speculation surrounding Katie and Lee’s marriage has been rife ever since the pair spontaneously tied the knot in January.
On January 25, the reality star revealed that she had tied the knot with businessman Lee in Dubai, just one day after announcing their engagement.
This was the fourth time that Katie has been a bride, after her marriages to Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler.