Jake Quickenden sports a blonde wig as he mocks influencers in Dubai for ‘work commitments’

‘It’s all for you guys!’ Jake Quickenden sports a blonde wig as he mocks influencers for flying to Dubai for ‘work commitments’ before UAE travel corridor closes

Jake Quickenden has poked fun at the alarming number of influencers flying to Dubai for apparent work commitments, just hours before a travel corridor to the Gulf state closes. 

Models and social media influencers are among thousands of British travellers facing a race home on Friday to avoid being stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi after the travel corridor shuts at 1:00pm. 

Taking to Instagram, former X Factor star Jake, 32, poked fun at the controversy surrounding their decision to fly to the United Arab Emirates despite the ongoing threat of COVID-19

Banter: Jake Quickenden has poked fun at the alarming number of influencers flying to Dubai for apparent work commitments, just hours before a travel corridor to the Arab state closes

With an image of the Burj Khalifa superimposed behind him, the TV personality sported an ill-fitting blonde wig while emulating a stereotypical influencer and the stock response that they are in Dubai for ‘work.’ 

Addressing followers, he joked: ‘Hi guys, I just wanted to let you all know that I’ve decided to move to Dubai; not only for my own mind, but also to motivate you guys, to let you guys know that it is sunny, somewhere in the world. 

‘It’s also for work, and I know a lot of people are gonna say “Karen, you work at Greggs,” and yes I do work at Greggs, but I’ve also hit a milestone. I’ve hit 5,000 followers on the ‘Gram. So I’m gonna be influencing you lot at home to eat sausage rolls, in a hotter climate, and I think it’s really gonna work for me. 

Funny: With an image of the Burj Khalifa superimposed behind him, the TV personality sported an ill-fitting blonde wig while emulating a stereotypical influencer

Funny: With an image of the Burj Khalifa superimposed behind him, the TV personality sported an ill-fitting blonde wig while emulating a stereotypical influencer

‘It’s been hard sitting in my house making sausage rolls, so maybe I can make sausage rolls much better in Dubai.’ 

Referencing the seemingly carefree lifestyles of Dubai bound influencers, he added:  ‘There’s not gonna be much partying. I have booked a few pool parties, but don’t you guys be getting it wrong, when I say I’m doing it for you. 

‘I’m here to tell you we can party somewhere in the country, just not in England.’ 

Captioning the clip, he assured fans: ‘It’s for you guys, it’s all for you !! Disclaimer I’m just taking the p**s!!’ 

It's only a laugh: Jake mocked the seemingly carefree lifestyles of Dubai bound influencers and the hollow justification that they are there for work

It’s only a laugh: Jake mocked the seemingly carefree lifestyles of Dubai bound influencers and the hollow justification that they are there for work 

Continuing the gag in a second video, Jake appeared to be floating in a hotel pool with the Palm Dubai visible to his rear as he addressed the camera as Karen. 

‘People have been saying that I don’t care about the carers,’ he said. ‘That is just total nonsense because yesterday was Thursday and I was on the boat, and I was clapping along with the music, and I looked at my friend and I said “Oh my God, remember when we was in England and we were clapping for the carers?” We’re basically doing that now, only from Dubai.’ 

The scramble to get a flight back to Britain comes after ministers added the United Arab Emirates to the so-called red list of countries from where travel to the UK is prohibited. 

A raft of high-profile social media influencers had previously sparked outrage by carelessly jetting off to Dubai and Abu Dhabi as Britain braced itself for a third national lockdown. 

Former Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry, 25, was among the scores of influencers who flocked to Dubai over recent weeks. Others included Sophia Peschisolido, 23, daughter of The Apprentice UK star Karren Brady.

Love Island stars such as Laura Anderson and Amber Gill, who have since flown back, were also among those to jet off to the Gulf state before the third national lockdown began.