Blue were one of the biggest bands of the 2000s. Now Lee Ryan is guilty of racially aggravated assault.

They were one of the biggest bands of the 2000s.

Together Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan have sold millions of records and released more than 40 number one hits globally as part of much-loved British boy band, Blue.

Here in Australia, their 2001 singles 'All Rise' and 'Too Close' made the top 10 before they split in 2005.

Now, 12 years after the band reformed in 2011, singer Lee Ryan has been found guilty of racially aggravated assault of a female flight attendant.

Once on the plane, Ryan was reportedly refused more alcohol and told to return to his seat, before he made comments about the appearance of cabin crew member, Leah Gordon, who he referred to as a "chocolate cookie". 

"He was making comments about my complexion, 'you’re my chocolate darling, my chocolate cookie, and I’m going to have your chocolate children'," Gordon told the court, as per The Guardian. 

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

Ryan, who married his wife, Verity Paris, last year, reportedly later approached Gordon from behind, telling her, "Before I get off this plane I need a kiss from you". 

According to The Guardian, Godron told the 39-year-old to "stay away" but he grabbed both her wrists before other passengers intervened. 

"He was towering over me, like he was leaning in to give me a kiss," she said. 

"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," she later added.

Band members Simon Webbe (Left), Duncan James (centre left), Lee Ryan (centre right) and Antony Costa (right) at the Brit Awards in 2002. Image: Dave Hogan/Getty. 

Ryan, who lives in Spain, claimed he had no recollection of the flight other than "annoying" a passenger next to him, and said his actions were "playful".

Apologising, Ryan told the court, "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 didn't mean to cause any distress to anyone or be racist, it was just a poor choice of words I suppose." 

During an interview read to the court, Ryan told police officers, "I wish I could ring her up and apologise and offer her some Blue tickets for the next tour."

A different flight attendant, Jade Smith, also told the court she had been approached by Ryan during the flight. 

Smith said the singer asked if he could be upgraded from economy to business class but was refused because the plane was full. 

"He told me he had a problem, that he was being harassed by other passengers, that he was famous and asked did I 'know who he was'," she said.

"He was angry, saying he was a gold-card holder and that he needed to be moved because of this." 

Lee Ryan's August arrest and apology. 

Ryan was arrested in London airport back in August. 

In footage of the arrest played in court, the singer could be seen crying on the floor and saying "I’ve done nothing wrong". 

According to The Guardian, an officer warned him a number of times to stop trying to bite him.

Luke Bowyer, who was prosecuting, also told the court that Ryan was "snarling" at officers.

"You’ve got a celebrity who believes he is entitled to harassing a woman," he added.

Over a week after his arrest, Ryan released a statement on Blue's official Instagram page, apologising for his "inappropriate" behaviour.

"Over the last few days, I have had a lot of time to think about my behaviour and how it affects people around me," he began the post.

"As it has been well documented I have always had my struggles with alcohol and often say or do silly things as a result of that, which in turn has caused problems for myself and those around me. For that I want to apologise to everyone I have upset or offended." 

Ryan went on to apologise to "the airline staff, everyone on the flight, as well as my band mates, my family and our fans. 

"The time has come for me to take ownership of the root cause of these problems and for that reason I am reducing my schedule for the time being to seek professional help and spend time with my family.

"I am aware of how my behaviour affects others and by starting this journey of working on my mental health I hope to emerge a better person for it."

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As well as racially aggravated common assault, Ryan was also found guilty of being drunk on an aircraft, assaulting a police officer by biting him, and behaving in an abusive way towards the cabin crew member. 

He was granted unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced next month.

Feature Image: Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns/Getty.