Dame Joan fury as BA strips her of her title

DAME Joan Collins has been indelibly associated with flying since Rising Damp star Leonard Rossiter pushed the recline button on her airline seat, causing her to spill her drink all over herself, in the classic Cinzano TV advert in the Seventies.

Now, however, she’s gone to war with our national flag carrier after it demoted her title on her ticket for a recent flight.

The former Dynasty star, 84, is also annoyed about apparently being downgraded from ‘premier’ status passenger for British Airways after years of ‘loyalty’. Gold status in BA’s executive club entitles members access to First Class check-in and airport lounges, as well as complimentary Elemis spa treatments.

On her ticket from Nice to London — an image of which she has shared with fans on social media — she was named as mere Ms Joan Collins. And she fired off furious messages to BA’s boss, Alex Cruz, and his group chief, Willie Walsh.

‘You ripped away my premier status after a lifetime of loyalty, must you ALSO strip me of my TITLE?’ she fumed. Dame Joan appeared in TV and magazine adverts for BA in the early Seventies, in which she was referred to as its ‘Most Frequent Flyer of First Class’.

However, the relationship has soured, with her complaining most recently about the quality of snacks on long-haul flights and requesting that Ritz crackers be served.

A BA spokesman apologised to Dame Joan, blaming an agent for not selecting her correct title, but declined to comment on her status with the airline.

Can’t wait to see her on Ryanair.