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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Gemma Jones

Paul O'Grady 'ready to riot' as he is delayed for hours in travel chaos

Paul O'Grady was fuming as his flight home from Amsterdam's Schipol Airport was delayed on the runway.

He said that he was "ready to riot" after being stuck on the aeroplane for at least two hours, having got no further than the runway. Taking to Instagram, the 67-year-old said that the pilot provided passengers with "endless lame excuses" before telling them that their baggage was stuck in a holding area.

In a lengthy rant, the Birkenhead-born comedian said that a "police cell would be preferable" to being stuck on the runway. The star was missing a charity event due to the delays and said that his temper was rising so much that he was "fit to f****** kill."

READ MORE: Paul O'Grady told to 'move house' after 'cursed' find while gardening

The post, in full, read: "What a joy flying is. I’ve been sat on a flight for over two hours and we haven’t got any further than the runway.

"The captain pops his head out now and then with endless lame excuses and he’s just informed us that the luggage is stuck in some holding area and cannot be reached so if we do take off then it’s without luggage. Tempers are rising and I’m fit to f****** kill as I’m supposed to be going to a reception at The House of Lords in aid of The Paul Cottingham Trust which isn’t going to happen."

Paul added: "We’ve had half a glass of water and a few crisps and endless excuses and if this stinking heap doesn’t take off soon I’m afraid I’m going to start a riot. A police cell would be preferable to being stuck here. @schipholairport."

He later posted an update showing a video of the plane finally off the ground. He wrote: "AT LAST!!! Nearly 3 hours late but we’re finally in the air."

When the former drag queen finally made it home he posted another video, explaining that the whole ordeal took nine hours. He said that security queues added time to his journey as well as being stuck on the tarmac.

Paul said: "The airports are chaotic so I'm just warning you now if you're travelling. I'm dreading July because I've got to go away then."

He explained that he is flying from Gatwick to film abroad for work and it will be when the strikes are on. He also noted that it would be the start of the summer holidays so airports will be busier with families too.

He said: "It's going to be a living hell, imagine it. If you see someone doing a bad Donald Duck having a temper, that's me. So just ignore me."

Paul went on to show support for the airline strikers as he wished them luck. He said that the pay they were receiving was "not on" and it was "fair play" to them wanting to take industrial action.

Read more:

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