Accepting the usual newspaper hyperbole and the airline attempting to put the best spin on things (neither of which is exactly surprising) I am amazed by the downbeat tone of the majority of responders. The captain seems to have used common sense.
Most of us carry identification and the idea of Walter Mitty types drunkenly loitering with intent outside the cockpit door on the off chance someone is going to go sick is just ridiculous. He may not be a hero, but he certainly seems to have been helpful. I think a first class upgrade on his next LH flight would certainly be in order.