Blue singer Lee Ryan was "physically assaulted on a plane" after another passenger accused him of a "culturally insensitive" act, a statement from the boyband has said. The 40-year-old star suffered a leg injury after he was pushed down a set of stairs.
Blue's official social media said the incident occurred on a flight from Georgia to Istanbul on Saturday. They added the alleged assault happened after Ryan "put his feet on the seat, which was considered culturally insensitive".
The star said he "apologised for any unknowing offence caused". His fellow band members - Simon Webbe, Duncan James and Antony Costa - defended the star as he gave a victim statement to Turkish police.
The band said: "While on a plane from Georgia to Istanbul, Turkey with Turkish Airlines today (July 8), Lee Ryan was physically assaulted by a male passenger. Lee and the rest of the band, defended him from the attack, which continued after the plane had landed when the passenger pushed Lee down a flight of stairs causing an injury to his leg.
"Both parties were spoken to by the police in Turkey and to which Lee voluntarily gave a victim statement supported by the band. Lee was not at any point arrested, detained or charged with any offence and after giving his statement, was free to continue his journey.
"The assault occurred after Lee had put his feet on the seat which was considered culturally insensitive and for which Lee has apologised for any unknowing offence caused. Blue."
Turkish Airlines have been approached for comment by PA Media.
It comes a month after Lee Ryan successfully applied to withdraw his guilty plea to drunkenly assaulting a police officer - during his arrest for verbally abusing a black flight attendant. A court was told in January the singer was "slurring his words and staggering around" after consuming a bottle of port.
The events happened before he boarded a British Airways flight from Glasgow to London City Airport on July 31, 2022.
After he was refused more bar service on the plane and told to return to his seat, the star is said to have made comments about attendant Leah Gordon’s looks. The star was accused of calling Leah a "chocolate cookie", and grabbing at her wrists.
Police footage appeared to show Ryan "snarling" and swearing after he allegedly tried to bite a police officer, as authorities went to arrest him at the airport.
He was found guilty at Ealing Magistrates’ Court in January of racially aggravated common assault by beating and behaving in an abusive way towards the cabin crew member.
Ryan pled guilty to assaulting a police officer by biting him - but at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, Ryan was told it would be "unjust" for him to not be allowed to withdraw the guilty plea after he claimed he had received bad advice from his solicitor.
A decision on whether Ryan will face a trial will be made later this month.
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