A family trip to New York almost took a frightening turn after Abbey Clancy revealed her teenage daughter Sophia made a joke that alarmed US immigration officers.
Speaking on The Therapy Crouch Show podcast, the model said 15-year-old Sophia was questioned by border officials after mentioning the word 'gun' while going through immigration checks. Abbey explained that the misunderstanding happened as the family arrived in New York to reunite with Peter Crouch after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
Although the situation ended without an arrest, Abbey admitted the tense moment left her shaken and served as a reminder that jokes about weapons are taken very seriously by US authorities.
Sophia's Fingerprint Question Quickly Turned into a Security Scare
Sophia had recently renewed her passport, which meant she had to provide fingerprints when entering the United States. Curious about the process, she asked officials if the fingerprints were collected 'in case there are fingerprints on the gun'.
The comment immediately caught the attention of immigration officers, who asked her to repeat what she had said. According to Abbey, the officers believed Sophia was suggesting her fingerprints were on a firearm, which quickly escalated the conversation.
Abbey Clancy reveals her daughter was ‘nearly arrested’ in US airport pic.twitter.com/wYQbxOh5Su
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 22, 2026
Abbey stepped in to explain that her daughter was simply asking whether fingerprints were used to identify criminals. She clarified that Sophia had no intention of saying she had handled a gun, and the misunderstanding was eventually cleared up.
Abbey Warns Travellers Not to Joke with Border Officers
Looking back on the experience, Abbey said US immigration officers are extremely serious and not the people to joke with. She said she realised just how quickly a harmless comment could be misunderstood during security checks.
The stressful arrival did not end there. Abbey also recalled another tense moment when a woman left an unattended bag in the immigration queue, leading officials to question whether it could be a security threat.
With delays piling up, the family's driver eventually left because they had taken too long to get through the airport. Abbey admitted the pressure became overwhelming, and she burst into tears after finally collecting their luggage.
Family Enjoys New York After Difficult Arrival
Despite the difficult start to their holiday, Abbey and Peter Crouch soon settled into enjoying New York with their four children. The family visited the Statue of Liberty, where Abbey shared a playful photo of her daughter Liberty meeting the famous landmark that shares her name.
Peter had been working in the United States as part of FOX Sports' coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside football figures including Kasper Schmeichel and Alex Scott. After the tournament ended, the family spent time exploring the city together.
Abbey also posted videos of the family singing and dancing in a taxi while travelling to dinner, celebrating their reunion after Peter's work commitments during the tournament.
Abbey Has Been Open About Family Life and Personal Changes
The former Strictly Come Dancing winner has recently spoken more openly about family life on The Therapy Crouch Show. Alongside funny parenting stories, she has also shared personal changes she has made over the past few years.
In a recent interview, Abbey admitted she drank too much wine during the COVID-19 lockdowns before deciding to focus more on her health. She now follows a regular fitness routine, rides her horse Enzo, and balances work with raising her four children.
While Sophia's airport comment ended as an embarrassing misunderstanding, Abbey said the experience showed how carefully travellers should choose their words during airport security checks, especially when entering countries with strict border procedures.
