Colin Firth in Airplane Drama
Calmly reassures family as fight breaks out on plane
He’s played heroes, villains, and even kings, but his most important role as family man was foremost in his mind when Colin Firth was flying home from the Oscars.
The Chiswick-based actor was with his wife and two young sons on a British Airways flight to Heathrow when an ugly row broke out between passengers over an alleged theft.
As the two passengers started attacking each other, witnesses said Firth ignored the chaos and focused on reassuring his two young sons Luca (10) and Matteo(8). His wife, Livia Firth was also with him at the time of the disturbing incident.
The 51-year old actor, who won an Oscar for the King’s Speech, had been in Los Angeles to present the Oscar for Best Actress to Meryl Streep for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
Cabin crew on the British Airways flight called ahead for back up and armed police boarded the plane as soon as it landed at Heathrow airport.
One source told a newspaper that people on board were scared for the safety of the flight.
''It was far more dramatic than anything at the Oscars” according to the source.
Passengers who also included British model Jodie Kidd, were asked to remain seated while officers attended to the incident on the ground. No arrests were made but police said investigations were continuing.
Firth, whose career took off after his role as Mr. D’Arcy in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice showed his gallant side to Meryl Streep only two weeks ago in London at the Bafta awards. As she hurried to the stage to collect her award for Best Actress in The Iron Lady, her high-heeled black Jimmy Choo shoe slipped off.
But the British actor, who was yards away on stage at the time, deftly picked it up and with a swift “ Allow me”, went down on one knee, Prince Charming style, and held the shoe for her to put it on again.
March 1, 2012
