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

French film star Gérard 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 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 toilet.

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 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.

A passenger on the CityJet plane contacted a French radio station 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.

CityJet confirmed the plane had been delayed and it took off later than scheduled for Dublin without Depardieu.

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