Lee Ryan GUILTY of racially abusing BA cabin crew after downing port before flight & asking ‘do you know who I am?’

DISGRACED Lee Ryan has been found guilty of racially abusing a black flight attendant after asking: "Do you know who I am?".

The Blue star, 39, sunk half a bottle of port and tucked into cheese in the BA lounge before boarding the flight at Glasgow.

Ryan was "slurring his words and staggering around" as he asked: "Do you know who I am?"

Ealing Magistrates' Court heard he later called cabin crew worker Leah Gordon a racial slur - leaving her in tears.

Ryan was arrested at London City Airport by armed cops following the attack on July 31 and spent the night in the cells.

He later told police he would give Ms Gordon Blue tickets for their next tour as an apology.

The All Rise singer has today been found guilty of racially aggravated common assault by beating, which carries a maximum seven year sentence.

Ryan was also convicted of common assault and behaving in an abusive manner towards cabin crew.

He previously pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and vowed to get help for his drinking.

Giving evidence at his trial today, Ms Gordon said Ryan called her "beautiful" before grabbing her wrists and commenting on her "complexion".

She said: "It felt like he was saying I was beautiful for a black person because of the way he was describing my colour."

The flight attendant also said Ryan approached her from behind and told her: "Before I get off this plane I need a kiss from you."

She added: "I was intimidated, I felt a bit embarrassed like I wasn't doing my duty properly.

"To get comments about my colour whether intentional or not, it was just unacceptable and so derogatory.

"I just felt like it wasn't fair and I shouldn't have to put up with it.

"I don't go to work to be assaulted or harassed."

Ryan, who appeared tearful in the dock, claimed he had no recollection of the flight other than "annoying" a passenger next to him.

He told the court his actions were "playful" and denied being racist.

The singer added: "I'm sorry.

"My band member is black, I'm not racist, I've had black girlfriends, mixed-race girlfriends.

"It was banter, just drunk banter I suppose, there was no malice or intention to upset anyone."

'I WAS INTIMIDATED'

The court was told Ryan had approached another flight attendant, Jade Smith, when the seatbelt sign went off.

She said Ryan demanded to be upgraded to business class as he was being "harassed" because of his fame.

Ms Smith claimed she felt "intimidated" so she called the captain to let him know Ryan appeared drunk.

The crew decided not to serve the singer any more booze during the flight as he was "red in the face" and staggering around the plane.

She said: "He said stop being boring, let’s all have a drink together.

“He took off his sunglasses and put them on me. I said please don’t touch me without my permission."

The cabin crew member said she asked Ryan to go back to his seat, which he refused to do.

Ryan then began "using slurs" towards her colleague.

Ms Smith said: "I told him to sit down. At this point he got a bit irritated and told me to go away. I was intimidated.

“I went to the front of the aircraft and called the captain. They informed me to give him a final written warning.

“As I was making my way to the rear of the aircraft I saw him walking towards me. I could see my colleague was upset. She was crying and appeared shaken. She told me what had happened.

“I said she should go to the front of the plane and serve business class.”

Ryan was filmed crying on the floor and repeatedly saying "I've done nothing wrong" when he was arrested.

He was also warned several times to stop biting at officers as he "snarled" and sobbed "uncontrollably".

Ryan formed boy band Blue in 2000 with Antony Costa, Duncan James and Simon Webbe. 

They have since sold 14million records and had three Number 1 albums.

Their biggest hits include songs All Rise, Too Close, One Love and U Make Me Wanna.

Blue recently went on a 20th anniversary tour and released a new album, Heart & Soul.

Ryan's conviction is the latest offence in his chequered criminal past.

In 2003, the star was banned from the roads for drink-driving.

He has also been found guilty of assaulting a taxi driver and banned from driving a further three times for speeding and failing to provide a specimen for a drink-drive test.

Ryan, who also previously declared himself bankrupt, will be sentenced on February 24.