Gerard Depardieu thrown off plane

French actor Gerard Depardieu was thrown off a Paris to Dublin flight and told to book another one after he was caught short after the seat belt sign was switched on for take-off.

With the lavatories closed, the 62-year-old - said to be "somewhat the worse for wear" - called out "I need to p***, I need to p***". But the cabin crew told him he would have to wait until the plane was airborne. So the star of Cyrano de Bergerac, Jean de Florette and Green Card decided to take matters into his own hands. It is understood he tried to relieve himself into an empty bottle at the back of the plane but also splashed the floor. 

Irate passengers were told the City Jet Avro RJ85 would be grounded for two hours while staff cleaned the carpet and Depardieu, who was travelling with two companions, was ordered off the flight with his luggage.

An outraged female passenger told France's Europe 1 radio she was "outraged" by an actor who "thinks he is not like others, that he has to abide by their rules. He could have waited a couple of minutes." 

City Jet confirmed that an incident took place but declined to name the individual involved. Depardieu's agent declined to comment on the incident.