The manager of singer Marianne Faithfull was arrested at Gatwick Airport after a row with check-in staff ahead of a flight to Italy where the singer is due to perform.

Francois Ravard arrived at the airport with Faithfull to board a flight to Bologna but was refused travel after it was alleged he became physically and verbally abusive.

Ravard was arrested and taken away for questioning before being cautioned.

Meanwhile, 62-year-old Faithfull was able to take her seat on the British Airways flight on Thursday night in preparation for her performance in a concert in the Italian city tonight.

In a statement today, BA said: “A male customer became aggressive and abusive at check-in when he was refused travel on a flight from Gatwick to Bologna.

“He appeared to be intoxicated on arrival at check-in. In such circumstances, an assessment is made as to whether the passenger is fit to travel.

“When he was refused travel, he became physically and verbally abusive. Police were called and he was arrested.

“Such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Sussex Police confirmed a male passenger was detained at Gatwick's North Terminal on Thursday evening.

Sixties icon Faithfull, a former girlfriend of Mick Jagger during his Rolling Stones heyday, has had careers as a singer, songwriter and actress stretching back more than four decades.

Her early work was overshadowed by her struggle with drug abuse but after a prolonged absence from the public eye she returned in the late 1970s with her acclaimed album, Broken English.

Now living in Paris, Faithfull - who used to be romantically-involved with Ravard - is currently touring the world promoting her recently-released album called Easy Come, Easy Go.

Her spokeswoman said today: “Marianne was at Gatwick Airport but was not involved in any way in the situation that occurred and she managed to travel on to Bologna as planned.

“Her gig tonight there will go ahead as planned and Francois travelled from Britain to join her yesterday.

“Marianne hadn't been drinking at the time of the incident and she does not drink alcohol.

“She is enjoying life and loving it as she is sober and clean.”