Singer Charlotte Church made the most of her star power after nearly missing a flight to the Spanish isle of Ibiza with her boyfriend.

Despite arriving too late to make the check-in for their British Airways flight from London's Gatwick Airport, Church and Welsh rugby player GAVIN HENSON, were allowed onto the plane after signing autographs for staff.

The couple got to their seats minutes before the flight was due to depart.

An irate customer says, "It's a cheek. Anybody else missing check-in time would be forced to pay for another flight."

However, according to a British Airways spokesman, "If passengers can still be booked without delaying the flight, we have the discretion to do so."