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Latest update: 17/08/2011
- aviation - France
'Drunk' Depardieu urinates in aisle ahead of takeoff
French actor Gerard Depardieu urinated in the aisle of a taxiing Air France plane on Tuesday, a spokesperson has confirmed. A fellow passenger told Europe 1 radio that the acclaimed actor was visibly drunk.
By News Wires (text)
REUTERS - French actor Gerard Depardieu outraged fellow passengers by urinating in the aisle of an Air France flight as it prepared to take off on Tuesday, forcing the plane to turn back to its parking spot.
A passenger on the flight said Depardieu, 62, the star of movies such as "Jean de Florette" and "Green Card", appeared to be drunk and insisted he be allowed to use the bathroom during takeoff, when passengers must remain seated.
When he was asked by a hostess to return to his seat, Depardieu urinated in the aisle, the passenger told French radio station Europe 1 on Wednesday.
"You could see that he had been drinking, but there were no comments. The hostess was shocked but there was no argument, nothing," said the passenger.
"I was outraged. When you are an actor, you are not like other people, you do not have to abide by the rules. He could have waited, all the same."
A spokesperson for national carrier Air France confirmed the passenger's version of events.
"I confirm the fact that he (Depardieu) did indeed urinate in the plane," the spokesperson said.
Depardieu's agents were on vacation and his PR office had no comment to make.
The evening flight AF5010 operated by CityJet, a subsidiary of Air France, was forced to return to the terminal where a team boarded the plane to clean the carpet.
A spokesperson for CityJet said a passenger was escorted from the plane and the flight resumed after a delay of an hour and 15 minutes. He declined to confirm the passenger's identity.
Depardieu is one of France's best known actors internationally with more than 100 films under his belt, including the "Asterix" series.
He was awarded a Cesar -- the French equivalent of an Oscar -- for best actor for his interpretation of the large-nosed romantic Cyrano de Bergerac in the 1990 movie of the same name.
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Comments (7)
Depardieu urinates in Air France plane
That a boy Gerard. You most likely will get honorary citizenship of Finland for your deed.
GD avec le non Pissoir!
Would the problem have been so hyped up had he thrown up his in- flight meal that had been washed down with too much plonk?
Sitting in an adjacent seat I know what I would prefer, if forced to opt for one or t'other,... a drop of water every time.
Not enough of, or sizable loo's on planes anyway.
Too zealous
Did the crew member even recognise M. Depardieu ?
This is the problem nowadays - plenty of 'trained staff' but no 'experienced' staff ! Why not just train monkeys, they might have more intellegence than the younger staff. Air France seems to have a problem with 'training' staff, be they pilots or cabin crew, n'est pas ?
great
The man is a great actor, he is amazing in Jean de Florette - leave him alone!
boycott CityJet
Old people can do it, that's the problem and can do without particular reason, just age. Flight attendant was too young to know that, so maybe it is not her fault not to allow old sick guy to visit restroom. This company should apologize for their non human behavior and change their rules. At least for old and too young passengers. They twit that they have enough toilets but what is the proof? Looks like absolutely contrary.
happened to me
...but luckily I was in business class on Emirates and used the large glass from the private bar!!!
When you got to go you got to go
He may have a 100 films under his belt, but can he hold it in?
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