Footage has emerged of the moment an allegedly drunk passenger was taken off a Manchester to Greece flight by police after it was forced to divert to Bulgaria.

The Thomson Holidays flight was due to arrive at 10pm after leaving the UK at 7PM but was forced to fly to Sofia - landing there shortly before midnight Friday - so the passenger could be escorted off.

Passengers can be heard applauding on the Heraklion-bound flight as the man is removed. The incident had reportedly involved a passenger drinking heavily, trying to smoke and threatening to start a fight aboard the plane.

The airline later confirmed a "customer incident" in a statement - adding "the passenger in question was removed from the aircraft and met by police."

Footage has emerged of the moment an allegedly drunk passenger was taken off a Manchester to Greece flight by police after it was forced to divert to Bulgaria.

The Thomson Holidays flight was due to arrive at 10pm after leaving the UK at 7PM but was forced to fly to Sofia - landing there shortly before midnight Friday - so the passenger could be escorted off.

Passengers can be heard applauding on the Heraklion-bound flight as the man is removed. The incident had reportedly involved a passenger drinking heavily, trying to smoke and threatening to start a fight aboard the plane.

The airline later confirmed a "customer incident" in a statement - adding "the passenger in question was removed from the aircraft and met by police."