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Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo made an appearance at the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday, taking a moment to express their ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the Middle East amidst the ongoing missile strikes.
Sophie’s sister, Georgia, along with her husband and their infant daughter, remain in Dubai after an Iranian missile hit the renowned Palm Jumeirah.
Despite the looming threat of escalating conflict in the Middle East, the couple maintained a composed demeanor as they attended the event at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.
Back in November, Georgia and her husband Tom Berry celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Bella, and the family is currently vacationing in the UAE.
Prior to the awards ceremony, Jamie shared a message on his Instagram Story, stating, ‘Thoughts and prayers to friends, families, and people in the Middle East.’
A few hours later the couple were seen leaving their hotel in Manchester and making their way over to the arena with Jamie holding Sophie’s hand as he helped her down the stairs.Â
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo headed to the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday as they sent their ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the Middle East amid the missile strikes
Sophie’s sister, Georgia, her husband and their baby daughter are stuck in Dubai after an Iranian missile struck the famous Palm Jumeirah
Influencers in the populous city of Dubai have taken to social media to speak of their shock in being caught up in the retaliatory strikes, which have come just hours after the US and Israel embarked on an air assault targeting the Iranian regime, on Saturday morning.
The US and Israel launched strikes on targets in several Iranian cities on Saturday, including the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sending explosions and plumes of smoke over the capital, Tehran.
Missiles fired by Tehran have struck US military bases in Qatar and have also rained down on Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel.
Videos posted on social media show Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah ablaze after it was hit by a suspected Iranian missile or missile debris.
Four people are said to have been injured in the attack, according to the Dubai media office, with witnesses stating ambulances had rushed to the scene.
Meanwhile, Israeli media is now reporting there are ‘growing indications’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his Tehran compound was razed to the ground in a strike.
Officials had earlier reported that the strikes had caused ‘very significant harm’ to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders.
Khamenei has not been heard from since the US and Israel launched their dual attack on Iran on Saturday morning.
The couple put on brave faces as they attended the ceremony at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena amid fears of an all-out war escalating in the Middle East
Sophie wore a black semi-sheer gown with a thigh-high leg slit
The presenter styled her hair into a chic updo
The couple posed for a photo before hopping into a waiting car and making their way over to the red carpet
Ahead of Jamie and Sophie’s appearance at the event, he wrote on his Instagram Story: ‘Thoughts and prayers to friends, families and people in the Middle East’
A few hours later the couple were seen leaving their hotel in Manchester and making their way over to the arena with Jamie holding Sophie’s hand as he helped her down the stairs
Sophie’s dress featured a plunging neckline with a diamanté embellishmentÂ
In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack – with footage shared on social media showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Explosions have also been heard in the Syrian city of Damascus and in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, apparently as a result of Israeli missile interceptions.
The Operation has been named ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel and ‘Epic Fury’ by the US Department of Defense, which Trump has renamed the Department of War.
It is understood that the UK did not participate in the attacks, and Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee later today.
Sir Keir Starmer has said Iran must ‘refrain from indiscriminate military strikes’ in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, condemning the country’s attacks on its neighbours.
UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases.
The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office.
The UK Government said its priority is ‘the safety of UK nationals’ in the Middle East but that it is ‘ready to protect our interests’.
A Government spokesperson said: ‘Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.
‘Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.
‘As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests.
‘We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.’