A Jet2 passenger has said an eight-year-old boy was the "real hero" after helping calm a disruptive traveller on a flight from Turkey to Manchester. James Rose, 42, from Salford, was travelling home with his son Phoenix from Izmir last Friday (April 24) when trouble broke out on board.

The pair had cut short their holiday because of a family emergency. According to fellow passenger John Henderson, the flight was due to depart at 8pm but eventually took off about 50 minutes late after about 20 passengers were transferred from another cancelled service.

As first reported by the Manchester Evening News, during the journey, one passenger became rowdy and staff considered diverting the aircraft.

Mr Henderson said Mr Rose stepped in to help calm the situation.

He added: "He listened to her, he talked to her, he was completely in control of the whole situation.

"The stewardesses couldn't thank him enough. They kept on saying 'you don't know how much money you've saved Jet2 here'."

He also praised Phoenix's role in keeping the woman settled. Mr Henderson said: "He was getting out football cards, constantly in conversation with her."

After the story was published, Mr Rose contacted the Manchester Evening News and insisted his son deserved the credit.

He said: "I'm not the hero. It was me lad. The way he handled the situation, he calmed her down. She was swearing and calling them every name under the sun.

"One of the stewardesses said 'that's it, we're gonna call the pilot and get this plane diverted'. I said 'can you give me 30 seconds'. I asked if we could get her sat next to me.

"We put her in the middle between me and my lad and that's when my lad took over. He was absolutely fantastic, he took over. He was saying to her 'don't shout, don't swear... what do your kids do?'.

"My lad stuck to her like glue. Every time she tried to go off, he would tap her and say 'come on, talk to me'. It was just magnificent to see."

Mr Rose said relief set in once the plane landed safely in Manchester. He added: "We got in a taxi and went home and never thought nothing of it. When I've seen the comments, I was shocked with the response. People are saying really nice things."

He also said that Phoenix's main concern has been the woman involved. "He's been asking how the lady is," Mr Rose said.

"He's very thoughtful and said 'I hope she gets the help and care she needs'. Even last night when I was going to bed I had a tear in my eye because I don't actually think I would've been able to do it myself. I think the overriding factor was Phoenix. If anyone is a hero, it's him."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers attended the aircraft after it landed, but no crimes were reported.