Media News
X Factor crew detained in Dubai
Tuesday 29 September 2009
The TV production staff were detained for two hours by airport security, who quizzed them about their reason for being in the United Arab Emirates state.
According to reports, guards suspected the crew might be spying on them to make a negative show about their customs, or that they were filming a raunchy pop video.
Their camera equipment was also taken apart and examined, until guards were given documents that proved the team was part of the ITV talent show and released them.
The crew was travelling with six female contestants - Lucie Jones, 18, Stacey Solomon, 19, Rachel Adedeji, 18, Nicole Jackson, 19, Despina Pilavakis, 20, and Stacey McLean, 20 - who were joining Dannii, 37, at the five-star Atlantis Palm hotel.
It was initially reported that the girls were also stopped and held, but it was later confirmed they had made it through customs and were taken straight to their hotel.
A source said: "When camera crews fly abroad to film, many countries have agreements in place to let them in without any fuss. But Dubai is a lot stricter."
A show spokesman confirmed: "The crew was held at security for a couple of hours."
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