French TV host Jean-Luc Delarue was detained by police officers upon arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport on Sunday for allegedly attacking cabin crew on a flight to South Africa earlier this month.
Three Air France in-flight attendants filed complaints, saying the popular talk-show host, known for his gentle and low-key manner, became ”aggressive and abusive” on a flight from Paris to Johannesburg on February 13.
Delarue was met on Sunday by border police when he got off the plane, according to an airport source. His lawyer was also waiting when he arrived.
The TV star, travelling in first class, allegedly insulted, bit and slapped one of the flight attendants, according to union representative Pierre Destugues.
Delarue had been apparently drinking heavily, according to judicial and airport sources.
Cabin crew had to use handcuffs to restrain the television host and to prevent him from further disrupting the flight, an Air France official said.
One of the air hostesses said Delarue also grabbed her breasts.
The local prosecutor in Bobigny, a suburb north of Paris, could press charges against the talk-show host, in which case he would be convened to appear before a criminal court.
The complaints were filed on February 16, three days after the alleged incident took place.
Delarue is the host of the tabloid talk show Ca se discute (Let’s Talk About It) which touches on such human interest topics as how to deal with teenage suicide, choosing a plastic surgeon or how siblings cope in large families. ‒ Sapa-AFP