A filmmaker who worked with Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy delayed a flight when he piloted a drone over Gatwick Airport.

Vassos Hadjigeorgiou told a court he was working on a film project when he flew his drone and caused the delay.

The 43-year-old was fined after Crawley Magistrates Court was told he was “embarrassed” by the ordeal.

Hadjigeorgiou, who has worked for the NHS, the National Trust, and the BBC, delayed at least one flight because he flew his drone in a restricted area.

Roberto Lervolino, Gatwick control centre manager, said: “Fortunately, due to the time of the day, only one departing flight was delayed.

"Had this drone flight appeared during peak times it would have caused serious delays, which could have run into multiple days.

"This could put extra pressure on UK border force.”

Hadjigeorgiou, of Holland Close Crawley, wore a shirt, jacket and tie and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

He was fined £365 after admitting flying his drone over the airport.

The court heard through his defence, David Forsyth, that Mr Hadjigeorgiou was embarrassed and apologised to all those affected by his behaviour.

Deputy District Judge Clare Boichot emphasised the seriousness of the offence and said: “It is your responsibility to make sure you fully adhere to the rules about drones in this area.”

Hadjigeorgiou claimed on his IMDB page to have worked with Olivia Coleman and Tom Hardy and on the hit show Sex Education.

Drones flying close to the runway caused chaos at Gatwick airport with hundreds of cancelled flights in 2018.

More than 100 drone sightings were reported near the runway forcing the airport to close for three days and grounding over 140,000 passengers.

Despite a lengthy police investigation no culprit was found, and police still think it was a malicious attack.