Owen played EastEnders' Ricky Butcher

Police went to Stansted Airport's check-in desk after Owen, 32, shouted at staff as he prepared to board a flight to France on Saturday morning.

The actor was questioned over having an extra piece of hand luggage, which prompted the row with airport staff.

An Essex police spokeswoman said a 32-year-old man was given a "caution".

She added that he was arrested in the terminal for public order offences.

An airport spokeswoman added: "I can confirm Sid Owen was involved in an incident at the airport on Saturday."

Brief pop career

Owen, who played Ricky Butcher in the BBC One soap, was dropped by its producers last October - just a year after he returned.

The character joined the show 15 years ago and left in 2000 but came back two years later.

Producers said Butcher has limited possibilities - but the character will not be killed off and the door will be left open for another return.

Executive producer Louise Berridge said Butcher had been "one of our most enduringly successful characters".

The actor enjoyed a brief pop career after leaving the show for the first time, scoring a top 20 hit with Good Thing Going in July 2000.