Thanks for all the replies.
Yes the expiry is barely readable and it's 2048 however I don't think I'll claim that we were in UK for the past 11 years and we just didn't bother to renew her license.
If we lie someday it'll bite us in the back side.
Decision made. I'll just call DVLA and tell them the story and proceed as they say.
I think it'll be drive on UAE license for a year, then once you regain the resident status apply for a renewal.
Now the main problem is how much will it cost for the motor insurance on a UAE license.
TI74