Ryan has had three number one hits while with Blue . He had previously co-directed the video for Blue 's single " Breathe Easy " , which he also wrote and which was shot in Prague . In 2001 the group were in New York during the September 11 attacks after which Ryan commented that " This New York thing is being blown out of proportion " and asked " What about whales ? They are ignoring animals that are more important . Animals need saving and that 's more important . " The other members of the group tried to silence Ryan , but he went on . This caused a huge media backlash that resulted in Blue losing a record deal in the United States and campaigns to sack Ryan from the line up . In August 2003 Ryan was arrested and charged with driving with excess alcohol in central London . In May 2004 Ryan was cleared of assaulting two photographers who had attempted to take photos of him leaving a nightclub however he was convicted of criminal damage for smashing their cameras
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Lee Ryan