Canadian model Winnie Harlow at Raffles The Palm Dubai. Photo: Instagram / Winnie Harlow
Canadian model Winnie Harlow at Raffles The Palm Dubai. Photo: Instagram / Winnie Harlow
Canadian model Winnie Harlow at Raffles The Palm Dubai. Photo: Instagram / Winnie Harlow
Canadian model Winnie Harlow at Raffles The Palm Dubai. Photo: Instagram / Winnie Harlow

Celebrities who have started 2022 in Dubai: from Winnie Harlow to 'Love Island' stars


Farah Andrews
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Dubai has a history of being a celebrity favourite when it comes to holiday destinations. It seems like 2022 is going to be no different, as a flock of stars jetted into the emirate to kick star their year.

From Love Island alumni to Canadian model Winnie Harlow and British boxer Anthony Joshua, big international names have shared highlights from their trips on social media, with Expo 2020 Dubai visits and desert safaris checked off their holiday to-do lists.

Here, we round-up the celebrities in Dubai this week:

Winnie Harlow

Canadian model Winnie Harlow welcomed 2022 in the UAE, staying at Raffles The Palm Dubai.

The model posted a "Happy New Year" message from the hotel, posing in the hotel lobby and with fireworks in the background come midnight.

She has also shared photos from a yacht, posing with a falcon and riding a camel.

"Dubai embraced me like I’m Emirati," she captioned the set of photos of herself in the desert.

Anthony Joshua

  • British boxer Anthony Joshua visits Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday, January 6, 2022. Getty
    British boxer Anthony Joshua visits Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday, January 6, 2022. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua at the famous water feature at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
    Anthony Joshua at the famous water feature at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua explored the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Getty
    Anthony Joshua explored the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
    Anthony Joshua during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua is taken around the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Getty
    Anthony Joshua is taken around the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua at the Expo 2020 Dubai waterfall. Getty
    Anthony Joshua at the Expo 2020 Dubai waterfall. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua takes a selfie at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
    Anthony Joshua takes a selfie at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua visits Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Getty
    Anthony Joshua visits Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Getty
  • Anthony Joshua at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty
    Anthony Joshua at Expo 2020 Dubai. Getty

British professional boxer Anthony Joshua is back in the UAE and back at Expo 2020 Dubai. The sportsman is in Dubai as he trains for a possible rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, but took time out to visit the Expo 2020 site, where he went to the UK Pavilion and the Instagram-worthy waterfall.

Joshua rang in the New Year with an Atlantis, The Palm backdrop, which he shared photos of on Instagram.

2021 'Love Island' winners Liam Reardon and Millie Court

Liam Reardon and Millie Court, the winners of the 2021 series of UK dating show Love Island, had a turbulent stay in Dubai. A trip designed to be a stopgap en route to the Maldives was extended when Reardon's PCR came back "presumptive positive", according to Court.

The duo isolated at their Palm Jumeirah hotel, but when Reardon's later tests came back negative, they were able to get out and explore the city, with a desert adventure, before flying to the Indian Ocean archipelagic country.

Peter Andre and family

Peter Andre and his family at the Dubai Aquarium at The Dubai Mall. Photo: Instagram / The Dubai Mall
Peter Andre and his family at the Dubai Aquarium at The Dubai Mall. Photo: Instagram / The Dubai Mall

Australian singer Peter Andre enjoyed a winter break in Dubai.

The family checked in to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, where Andre also performed a private concert on New Year's Eve.

Andre shared a photo of the Dubai Aquarium at The Dubai Mall, with wife Emily MacDonagh and children, Amelia, 8, and Theodore, 5. He was also joined by older children, Junior, 16, and Princess Tiaamii, 14, who he shares with ex-wife and British glamour model Katie Price.

'Love Island' star Zara Holland

Another Love Island contestant to jet to Dubai for winter sun is Zara Holland, who appeared on the 2016 series and formerly held the title of Miss Great Britain.

Holland has posted photos of herself at new Palm Jumeirah hotspot Aura Skypool Dubai, captioning the collection of photos, "Dreamy Pool Dayzzz".

In the images, Holland can be seen sipping a drink and lounging on a deck, she also admired the Palm and Dubai Marina views from the 50th floor vantage point.

Robbie Williams

  • Robbie Williams performs at a New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Robbie Williams performs at a New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The British pop star performed a greatest hits show at Atlantis, The Palm.
    The British pop star performed a greatest hits show at Atlantis, The Palm.
  • Robbie Williams delivered an almost chronological greatest hits set.
    Robbie Williams delivered an almost chronological greatest hits set.
  • The singer belted out a catalogue of hits representing the evolution of British pop music over the past 25 years.
    The singer belted out a catalogue of hits representing the evolution of British pop music over the past 25 years.
  • The singer wore a gold sequinned jacket for the show.
    The singer wore a gold sequinned jacket for the show.
  • Williams began the show with the triumphant 'Let Me Entertain You', from his 1997 debut album 'Life Thru A Lens'.
    Williams began the show with the triumphant 'Let Me Entertain You', from his 1997 debut album 'Life Thru A Lens'.
  • 'This is my first gig in two years,' Williams told the crowd. 'I am trying to remind myself who I am and what I do.'
    'This is my first gig in two years,' Williams told the crowd. 'I am trying to remind myself who I am and what I do.'
  • He also performed 'Come Undone', 'Rock DJ' and 'Kids'.
    He also performed 'Come Undone', 'Rock DJ' and 'Kids'.
  • His tracks such as the heartwarming 'Feel', 'She’s the One' and 'Better Man' served as an exhilarating prelude to the New Year’s Eve countdown and fireworks.
    His tracks such as the heartwarming 'Feel', 'She’s the One' and 'Better Man' served as an exhilarating prelude to the New Year’s Eve countdown and fireworks.
  • Williams had to ask the crowd to follow social distancing measures by moving away from the front of the stage.
    Williams had to ask the crowd to follow social distancing measures by moving away from the front of the stage.
  • The former Take That singer will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his solo career in 2022.
    The former Take That singer will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his solo career in 2022.
  • A guest arrives at the New Year's Eve gala dinner.
    A guest arrives at the New Year's Eve gala dinner.
  • Guests arrive at the New Year's Eve gala dinner.
    Guests arrive at the New Year's Eve gala dinner.
  • Guests take selfies at the New Year's Eve gala dinner.
    Guests take selfies at the New Year's Eve gala dinner.
  • Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai.
    Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai.

He didn't share photos of himself out and about exploring the city, but British singer Robbie Williams did ring in 2022 in Dubai.

The former Take That star performed at Atlantis, The Palm on December 31, his first concert in two years.

"@atlantisthepalm that was special. Happy New Year wherever you are in the world," Williams wrote on Instagram.

American-British singer Sinitta

Sinitta, known for 1985 single So Macho and formerly dating Simon Cowell, is in the UAE to take the stage in the Chicago musical at Dubai Opera.

The singer also rang in 2022 here by watching Robbie Williams at Atlantis, The Palm.

She has shared videos of herself at Williams's concert and also inside Dubai Opera, as she prepared for Chicago's opening night.

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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Updated: January 07, 2022, 8:57 AM