EX-WESTLIFE singer Brian McFadden was detained by Australian federal police at Sydney airport yesterday morning after reportedly “causing havoc” on a flight from Los Angeles.
Witnesses alleged McFadden got drunk, smoked and verbally abused the cabin staff and fellow passengers. He also reportedly stormed from business class into economy and mocked the passengers in there.
McFadden, who is engaged to Australian singer Delta Goodrem, is a judge on reality television show Australia's Got Talent.He was travelling with Sydney radio "shock jock" Kyle Sandilands, who is a judge on the programme.
Cabin crew and passengers on the Virgin flight told local media McFadden was drunk and aggressive during the almost 15-hour flight. Sleeping passengers were woken by laughing and boisterous conversation during the night.
The loud disturbance allegedly came from a six-seat bar at the back of the business-class cabin, where McFadden and Sandilands were drinking.
Flight staff became concerned someone was smoking in the toilet. What has been described as an “aggressive” conversation took place between McFadden, Sandilands and the cabin crew after the cigarette smoke was noticed.
One economy passenger told a Sydney radio station: “They were arguing, a lot of us heard it.” The crew radioed ahead to Sydney airport to report an incident with two passengers. “Smoking, aggressive behaviour and not following the orders of staff” was the initial statement relayed to police at the gate when the aircraft touched down at 8.30am.
Police reportedly had to restrain McFadden. Police sources told local media he had been “drunk and loud”. McFadden and Sandilands were interviewed and released a short time later.
The singer posted a message on the Twitter social network shortly after saying: “Wasn’t arrested! Didn’t smoke on the flight.
“I did have a few drinks but I was not smashed and abusive . . . storm in a tea cup,” said McFadden, who previously used Twitter to call his ex-wife Kerry Katona a “pig face mole” after she claimed he doesn’t talk to their children any more.
Police said: “No formal complaint was raised by the airline. As a result, the men were released without charge, and no action will be taken.”