Comedian and TV star Michael McIntyre has taken aim at those who have moved to Dubai to evade tax
09:04, 10 Mar 2026Updated 10:03, 10 Mar 2026
(Image: FaytuksNetwork/X)
Michael McIntyre has taken aim at those who have moved to Dubai to “evade tax”. Recently, war broke out as Israel and the USA struck Iran, which killed its leader, Ali Khamenei.
Iran then retaliated by striking military bases and other targets across the Middle East including Tehran, Beirut and the UAE, including missile strikes and drones in Dubai. The strikes have lead to mass flight cancellations as the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to the UAE.
But the luxurious Emirates state, where there is generally no tax paid on personal income, is a popular choice of residence for influencers, celebrities and other affluent people. While Dubai remains an attractive, low-tax environment – although it is not totally ‘tax free’ – rules are in place to ensure compliance for residents, including British expatriates.
And now comedian Michael, 50, has joked that he can “judge” those complaining about the situation despite its “terrible” nature because he pays tax in the UK.
READ MORE: Vicky Pattison flees Dubai as she and husband Ercan drive 11 hours amid ‘rising panic’READ MORE: Sue Radford arrives at luxury beach resort after ‘tone deaf’ Dubai post
The Wheel star joked that he is in a ‘position to judge’ because he pays plenty of tax himself
He said: “That is what people do [evade tax], I pay my tax and it’s a f*** of a lot, which means I am making loads. Anyway I can’t complain. Until I evade it, I feel like I am in a position to judge others.”
During a recent live show at Soho Theatre in London, he added: “They have gone [to Dubai]… I know I should not laugh, ’cause it’s terrible what has happened. The drones have come, and you have got all these people who have made the decision to leave the country and they keep posting videos.
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“They are going “Dubai is still the safest place in the world…We got shot at by 180 missiles overnight but only two got through…'” [I] still wouldn’t wanna live there. Would you?!”
Those in the UAE were urged to stay inside and celebrities like Kate Ferdinand and Luisa Zissman were forced to take shelter in the basements of their plush pads.
The British Embassy in Dubai is advising against all but essential travel to the UAE while British nationals in the country are being urged to register their presence in the state.
Last week, the warnings continued as the United Kingdom’s Embassy in the United Arab Emirates issued an official warning urging people to “shelter in place”.
Footballer Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate moved to Dubai last year (Image: PA)
Pop star and former Loose Women star Jamelia, best known for her hit song Superstar, also lives in Dubai (Image: Getty Images)
An image posted on its Twitter read: “Move indoors and remain inside. Follow the instructions of the local authorities. You should stay indoors or go to the nearest safe building. Stay away from windows. An interior stairwell or a room with as few windows as possible to offer additional protection.”
One of the first stars to speak out was Love Island’s Arabella Chi, who insisted during an appearance on Good Morning Britain last week that she felt “safe” despite all the chaos.
She said: “Despite being scared, I do feel safe, so as it stands, we have no bags packed and we are not planning on leaving. Obviously, if things got worse, then I might re-look at that situation but I feel that they are intercepting everything that is coming our way so I don’t feel the need.
“My brother and my sister-in-law are stuck here, they were supposed to fly two days ago. They need to get back to the UK and hopefully there will be a solution to that soon but they’re here with us at the moment.”
There is no evidence to suggest that the celebrities mentioned in this article have moved to Dubai to ‘evade tax’.
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