Blue singer Lee Ryan was pushed down the stairs of a plane by another passenger during a flight to Turkey after a "culturally insensitive" act, the boyband has said.
Ryan, 40, suffered a leg injury during the incident on a flight from Georgia to Istanbul on Saturday, according to a statement on the band’s official social media channels. Blue said the alleged assault happened after Ryan "put his feet on the seat, which was considered culturally insensitive" and he had "apologised for any unknowing offence caused".
The rest of the band – Simon Webbe, Duncan James and Antony Costa – defended Ryan and he gave a victim statement to Turkish police. The band said: "While on a flight from Georgia to Istanbul, Turkey with Turkish Airlines today (July 8), Lee Ryan was physically assaulted by a male passenger.
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"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 has been approached to comment.
