Wee problem for Depardieu

French film star Gerard Depardieu was kicked off a flight to Dublin after he was caught short as he waited for take-off and peed into a bottle.

The cinema legend had been due to from Paris on a CityJet flight yesterday evening and was told three times by cabin crew he could not use the bathroom.

It is understood the movie star got out of his seat and tried to relieve himself into an empty bottle at the back of the plane but also peed on the floor.

Police were called after the plane returned to the departure gate and the Oscar-nominated Depardieu was ordered off.

CityJet insisted the plane was “fit for purpose” after it returned to the runway for take-off at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Depardieu had been due to fly to Ireland as filming has begun on 'Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia', part four of the adventures of two Gauls who resist Roman occupation with help from a magic potion.

Depardieu, 62, and star of films such as 'Cyrano de Bergerac' and 'Green Card', has claimed he has not drunk alcohol for the last two months.

It is understood he claims he repeatedly asked if he could use the toilet after drinking a litre of water shortly before take-off. He also claims he asked for permission from cabin crew three times but was refused.

A passenger on the CityJet plane contacted a French radio station this morning reporting the incident and claimed the movie star had peed on the aisle.

The traveller claimed he stood up minutes before take-off and declared in a loud voice: “Je veux pisser. Je veux pisser.”

Cabin crew told him to remain in his seat but Depardieu insisted he could not wait and relieved himself.

The movie star has since travelled to Ireland.

Cityjet confirmed the plane had been delayed and it took off later than scheduled for Dublin without Depardieu and an associate he had been travelling with.

In a statement the airline, a subsidiary of Air France, said: “Flight AF5010, which was due to depart at 1845 from Paris to Dublin, was delayed due to an incident on board involving a passenger who refused to remain in his seat as the aircraft was taxiing on the runway.

“The captain returned the aircraft to stand where the passenger was offloaded.

“The passenger’s luggage was offloaded and the aircraft departed from Charles de Gaulle Airport as normal at 2035 with four crew and 91 passengers on board.”

Depardieu had been expected in Ireland to join more than 300 cast and crew for filming on the €50m at several locations including the Burren, Co Clare, Listoke Gardens in Co Louth and in Wicklow.

Filming on part four of the Gaul’s exploits began yesterday and is due to continue for the next four weeks.

Production houses involved in the film insisted Depardieu’s delay did not disrupt filming.