Mario Falcone has been caught out living it up in Dubai during lockdown while posting old photos on Instagram, giving the impression he is in the UK.
The former TOWIE star, 32, and his make-up artist fiancée Becky Miesner were seen enjoying the sunshine in the emirate with their son Parker, two, but have continued to upload images taken at their Essex home.
On Thursday, Becky posted a photo of her wrapped up in a warm winter coat and Wellington boots – just as she and Mario were spotted enjoying the beach in shorts and sunglasses in temperatures of 27C.
Spotted: Mario Falcone has been caught out living it up in Dubai during lockdown while posting old photos on Instagram giving the impression he is in the UK
In a video clip filmed that same day and exclusively obtained by MailOnline, Mario can be seen standing on a boardwalk next to the sand, looking relaxed.
The footage shows Mario discussing quarantine with a pal as he grabbed a coffee, while Becky looks after Parker in a pushchair.
Mario and Becky have been staying at the £250-a-night 5-star Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel – despite giving the impression to their followers that they’re still in Essex.
A guest at the hotel told MailOnline how they spotted Mario, who’s the brother of I’m A Celeb winner Giovanna Fletcher, 36, enjoying a beach day.
‘Chilling’: This week Mario shared an image to his 1.2million Instagram followers that showed him sitting in his Essex garden despite being spotted in Dubai at the same time
Family: Mario and his fiancée Becky Miesner were seen enjoying the sunshine in the emirate with their son Parker but have continued to upload images taken at their Essex home
The onlooker said: ‘It’s bad enough the influencers who are out here trying to defend themselves as some have.
‘But to slip over here and leave all your Instagram followers thinking that you’re back home shivering with everyone else in England during lockdown is outrageous.’
Boutique owner Lou Spearpoint tagged the couple in an Instagram story as they visited a salon in Dubai on Thursday, where they posed on video alongside model Lottie Tomlinson.
A tanned Mario is seen grinning at the camera before pulling a silly face as music pumps in the background.
His presence on the beach came a day before posting an image of himself in his garden in Essex with the caption ‘chilling’. Less than 24 hours ago Becky shared the picture of her dressed for winter.
A representative for Mario declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Caught out? Less than 24 hours ago, Mario’s girlfriend uploaded a photo showing her dressed in a warm coat and boots, the same day she was seen in sunglasses on the beach in Dubai
But a friend of the couple insisted Becky was in Dubai for a meeting linked to her beauty business and that Mario had gone with her for the 48 hour trip to look after Parker.
Their journey to Dubai came as UK remained in national lockdown, with the government enforcing rules to stay at home to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Under strict law, UK citizens are only advised to leave home for essential reasons, such as exercising with someone from your household.
It is believed Mario checked out of his Dubai hotel early on Friday morning and has already returned to the UK with his family, meaning he will have to quarantine for ten days.
On Friday afternoon, he posted an Instagram story of Peppa Pig being played on his large TV screen at home in Essex, with someone snuggled under a blanket on the sofa.
The Government’s enforced ban on all direct flights from the UAE started at 1pm today.
Fun times: Lou Spearpoint tagged the couple in an Instagram story as they visited a salon in Dubai on Thursday, where they posed on video alongside model Lottie Tomlinson
The only way influencers can come back to the UK now from Dubai is to fly via third hub, including Doha, Amsterdam or Paris.
Those who made the flight back before 1pm will have to quarantine at home for ten days.
Earlier this week, Mario voiced concerns on Twitter at the prospect of travellers having to isolate in a hotel after returning from overseas trips.
Mario suggested in a series of tweets that the Government should introduce ‘stricter checkups’ on people quarantining at home rather than putting people in hotels.
Pampering: Lou shared an Instagram story, tagging Mario’s long-term girlfriend Becky and Lottie at the salon and describing their time together as a ‘girl’s day’
He tweeted: ‘So with this ‘hotel quarantine’ idea.
‘Will lorry drivers bringing food in have to? Football teams in the European cups?
‘Pilots and cabin crews? What stops people just leaving? A fine? By force?
‘Are the hotels ventilation systems not going to pass the virus around?
‘Sure it makes sense to have stricter check ups on people quarantining at home? Tag people? Airport rapid tests?
‘What if people actually travel for work? Or are travelling for an ill relative etc?’
Mario is the latest reality star to be criticised for travelling abroad.
TOWIE stars James Lock and Yazmin Oukhellou are also still in Dubai, with Georgia Harrison relocating to the Emirates amid the pandemic.
‘Sunday strolls’: Mario has uploaded a series of photos to Instagram the past week, including a picture of him wrapped up in a red puffer jacket and wearing trainers
‘Difficult week’: Mario, pictured with son Parker, is the latest reality star to be criticised for travelling abroad while continuing to post old Instagram pictures online