Ellie Watkins, the wife of England striker Ollie Watkins, has returned to the United Kingdom with the couple’s children after deciding to leave Saudi Arabia, citing the security situation and the tensions that have gripped the Arab region in recent weeks. In a video posted to TikTok, she explained that she wanted to relocate her children from the current situation and provide them with a more stable environment until tensions ease and the family can reunite.
The decision comes just months after her husband swapped Aston Villa for Al-Hilal in a £60 million deal. While Ellie and the children have now relocated back to Britain, Ollie Watkins remains in Saudi Arabia, where he is determined to continue his career with the club on an annual salary of £24 million.
Return to Britain Amid Regional Conflicts
Ellie Watkins broke the news of her departure in a TikTok video, telling followers that she hoped to stay in the United Kingdom for some time. As reported by Marca, she said: Some developments have arisen, as I have returned to the United Kingdom, and I hope to stay here for some time. I don’t know exactly how long it will take, but given the conflicts and the current situation in Saudi Arabia, we decided to stay here until things calm down.
She added that the move was necessary to ensure her children could live normally: I felt I had to take this step for my children, so that we can guarantee them a measure of normal life, until we are able to reunite.
🚨𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: Ollie Watkins’ wife has decided to leave Saudi Arabia and return to the UK with their children due to the current situation. 🇸🇦🇬🇧 “Given the conflicts and the current situation in Saudi, we decided to return to the UK until things calm down. I felt I had to… pic.twitter.com/aWfj88Skyh”
Ollie Watkins Stays with Al-Hilal
Ollie Watkins, meanwhile, stays put in Saudi Arabia. The striker intends to remain with Al-Hilal even with his wife and children now back home, resolved to finish his stint in the country despite the security concerns that led his family to return to the United Kingdom.
More on Saudi Arabia
🚨JUST IN: Ollie Watkins' wife has decided to leave Saudi Arabia. "Given the conflicts and the current situation in Saudi, we decided to return to the UK until things calm down. I felt I had to take this step for my children, so that we can guarantee them a measure of normal… pic.twitter.com/gcVtUzzhiM”
🇸🇦 OLLIE WATKINS' FAMILY HAS LEFT SAUDI ARABIA Months after his £50m+ move to Al-Hilal, his wife Ellie has returned to the UK with their two children. She cited the ongoing conflict and security concerns, saying they need some normality until things calm down. This is Alarming pic.twitter.com/yBBJQTDzUU
🚨 Ollie Watkins' family flee Saudi Arabia amid escalating security fears just months after £50m Aston Villa exit. Ellie Watkins has revealed she has returned to the UK with the couple's two children following growing unrest in Saudi Arabia, just months after the England striker… pic.twitter.com/ud4LzYzaEl
Ollie Watkins' wife quits Saudi Arabia in major 'plot twist' for ex-Aston Villa star #avfc https://t.co/MppF5mWUQR
Related reading
Rory McIlroy Defends Scottie Scheffler Against Criticism Over Limited International Travel
Rory McIlroy has defended Scottie Scheffler against criticism over the world’s top-ranked golfer’s limited international travel, stating that...
Study links energy drinks to higher cardiac arrest reports in young adults, FDA data shows
Energy drinks and stimulant supplements appeared disproportionately in reports of cardiac arrest and heart attacks, especially among young...
Joe Scarborough Claims Pat McAfee Ruined College GameDay
Dan Dakich, the OutKick commentator, unloaded on MSNBC's Joe Scarborough after the "Morning Joe" host claimed Pat McAfee...
LA Kings Recall Connors, Assign Ward to AHL and Slukynsky to Greenville Before Sharks Game
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Kings' practice facility in El Segundo, the Los Angeles Kings made...