Gerard Depardieu put off plane after being caught short at take-off

Published on Wednesday 17 August 2011 19:22

French film star Gerard Depardieu was kicked off a flight from Paris after he was caught short as he waited for take-off and urinated into a bottle.

The cinema legend, pictured below, had been due to fly to Dublin on a CityJet flight on Tuesday evening and was told three times by cabin crew he could not use the lavatory.

It is understood the movie star got out of his seat and tried to relieve himself into an empty bottle at the back of the plane and on the floor.

Police were called after the plane returned to the departure gate and the Oscar-nominated Depardieu was ordered off.

CityJet insisted the plane was "fit for purpose" after it returned to the runway for take-off at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Depardieu had been due to fly to Ireland as filming has begun on Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia, part four of the adventures of two Gauls who resist Roman occupation with help from a magic potion.

Depardieu, 62, and star of films such as Cyrano de Bergerac, has claimed he has not drunk alcohol for the past two months.

It is understood he claims he repeatedly asked if he could use the toilet after drinking a litre of water shortly before take-off. He also claims he asked for permission from cabin crew three times but was refused.

A passenger on the CityJet plane contacted a French radio station yesterday reporting the incident and claimed the movie star had urinated in the aisle.

Cabin crew had told him to remain in his seat but Depardieu insisted he could not wait and relieved himself. The movie star has since travelled to Ireland.

CityJet confirmed the plane had been delayed and it took off later than scheduled for Dublin without Depardieu and an associate with whom he had been travelling.

An agent for Depardieu said he did not wish to comment publicly on the incident.