ITV host Rishi Persad experienced a moment of fear as he witnessed a missile attack while presenting at a horse racing event in Dubai, UAE. Recounting the incident, Persad shared that cameramen alerted him and co-presenter Angus McNae to a red light streaking across the sky followed by explosions, sending a shiver down his spine. Despite the unsettling event, the racing continued uninterrupted as they fulfilled their presenting duties.
Scheduled to return home for his wife’s 50th birthday and upcoming Cheltenham Festival responsibilities, Persad expressed concern for his family’s worries given the unforeseen circumstances. Stranded in Dubai due to flight cancellations amid the ongoing conflict, he remains hopeful of a safe journey back to the UK. Persad, who had traveled to Dubai for a racing event, was unaware of the escalating situation until fellow presenter Megan Nicholls informed him.
Although landmarks and hotels in Dubai were targeted by missiles during Persad’s work, the presence of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum at the race meeting provided reassurance. Despite the tense atmosphere, Persad found solace in Sheikh Mohammed’s appearance, believing it indicated safety at the venue. In a separate incident, US President Donald Trump announced US and Israeli military operations in Iran on the same day as the missile attack in Dubai.