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A British dad spared easyJet holidaymakers a long delay on the tarmac by flying the plane to Spain himself.

Michael Bradley was among the frustrated tourists on the plane grounded "after being one captain down" on Sunday.

He was hoping to jet off to Alicante, Spain with his wife and young son.

But as a pilot with easyJet himself, Michael rang his bosses and volunteered to take the plane the 1,500 miles or so south.

Manchester Evening News says the company agreed and the flight left the UK.

Before the plane left Manchester Airport , Michael said on the speaker system: "My wife who's on row 15 with my little boy - hopefully he's asleep by now, I should keep it down or else I'll get told off - she rolled over and punched me in the back of the head and said 'our flight's delayed by two hours because they are minus one captain for the flight'....

Do you know Captain Mike Bradley? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

(Image: Facebook)

"So just before we went through security I thought I wonder if this is worth a phone call, I think it is because I'd like to go on holiday.

"I phoned up easyJet and said 'Hiya, I'm standing in the terminal doing nothing. I have got my licence with me - deliberately from being punched in the back of the head at 3am - I have got my ID with me and I'd very much like to go on holiday and if you need a favour I'm standing here ready to go.

"They said 'we'll phone you back'. Thirty eight seconds later they phoned me back and said 'please, please pretty please with a big cherry on top, can you fly the aeroplane to Alicante'?"

Michelle Potts, who was on the flight with her friend Jess Clayton, posted a video to Facebook of the announcement.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

(Image: MEN MEDIA)

The mum, of Denton, Greater Manchester, said passengers cheered at the news.

She wrote on Facebook: "It could only happen to me!! Get to the airport and our flight is delayed a couple of hours... then I happen to look at the original time and it changed to gate closing!! Had to leg it across the airport to get on the flight.

"Get to boarding and asked the guy at the desk what's going on he said ' oh your pilot's gone missing but a guy that's going on your flight is going to fly the plane ' REALLY CASUALLY!!!

"Luckily the guy was actually a pilot!! probably would of been cancelled if it wasn't for him! Legend."

Speaking to Manchester Evening News, she said: "I was a bit nervous when I was first told, but once he told us on the plane I was just relieved that we weren't going to be delayed."

(Image: Manchester Evening News) (Image: Manchester Evening News)

A spokesman for easyJet said the flight's delay was "due to the knock on effects of the French ATC failure on Sunday" which impacted on crew and meant they had to rely on standbys.

He said: "We are grateful to one of our pilots who was travelling on holiday from Manchester to Alicante on 2 September with his family and volunteered to operate the flight.

"This meant customers could get to their destination and shows the commitment and dedication of our crew.

“This is fully in line with regulations as he had his licence and ID with him. Safety is always our highest priority."

The spokesman said the incident was 'exceptional' and stressed that Michael was well rested, having previously had four days off, and was legally permitted to fly the aircraft.