Lee Ryan has said to have been assaulted on a flight to Turkey by a male passenger, with his Blue bandmates defending him.
The singer reportedly received an injury to his leg. The band's Twitter account said: "While on a flight from Georgia to Istanbul, Turkey with Turkish Airlines today (Saturday 8 July 2023), 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."
Fans responded to the statement with well wishes to Lee, as one said: "Thank God his brothers were there with him and defended him. My heart utterly breaks from reading this statement. Hope Lee’s ok now and gets well soon. Sending him all my love."
Another added: "Sending love to Lee and the boys, awful and absolutely disgusting behaviour. Love to you all and speedy recovery to Lee."
A fan wrote: "Hope Lee is OK thank god you were with him sending you all the best wishes."
"Poor Lee hope he heals soon. And so glad he had the rest of you with him," someone else commented.
Just last month Lee was successful in his application to withdraw his guilty plea after being accused of drunkenly assaulting a police officer during his arrest for allegedly abusing a black flight attendant.
The All Rise hit-maker, 39, was “slurring his words and staggering around” after sinking a bottle of port before a flight from Glasgow to London last July, a hearing in January was told.
After being refused more booze on the flight and told to return to his seat, the star made comments about attendant Leah Gordon’s looks, calling her a “chocolate cookie”, before grabbing her wrists.
Police footage showed Lee “snarling” and swearing after allegedly trying to bite PC Bryett as officers attempted to arrest him on his arrival 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, while pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer by biting him.
But appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, the former Blue member was told it would be “unjust” for him not to be allowed to withdraw the guilty plea after he claimed his solicitor Mike Rainford "wasn’t doing his job properly".
He said he made him feel like he had “no choice” but to plead guilty after watching the video.
Ryan entered a second not guilty plea at the hearing and elected to be put on trial.
A decision on whether or not Ryan will face a trial will be made at a fresh hearing in July.
