A Scots mum has blasted organisers of the Ed Sheeran gig and claimed she was being forced to use a ticket tout as she couldn’t tell her daughter that she wouldn’t get to the dream gig.
The mum, who did not want to be named, was speaking outside Hampden Stadium on Friday after we told how fans were left devastated when their tickets were cancelled just hours before the singer's sold-out gig tonight.
She said: “I can’t believe the way this has unfolded. The Ed Sheeran gig has been in the calendar as the highlight of the year and they cancel it at the last minute.
“My daughter is ten-years-old and she was in bits last night so I was forced to phone around and see what other sources are available.
“I was put in touch with a tout who said he’d give me two tickets for £200. He said he’d be breaking even at that.
“He also said that he operates on a word of mouth basis and he’s been inundated with requests."
The mum, from Parkhead, Glasgow, added: “The email I got said it was cancelling my tickets to stop the tickets being resold.
"It's a bit ironic that they are actually driving NHS workers towards ticket touts instead of away from them.”
A nurse outside Hampden also told how she travelled from Edinburgh to try to get promoters to see sense and re-issue the tickets.
She said: “I had a ticket for me and three kids, all of whom are vulnerable and in care, exactly the kind of people that Ed Sheeran would love to have at his gig.
“Yet some faceless person sent me an email at half past eight last night to say the concert won’t be happening for them.
"It’s pretty sick to leave it to the last minute, particularly when there’s no real reason given."
She added: “I went to the Ticketmaster portacabin and they sent me to a white tent, supposedly to deal with the promoters.
“But all that was there was a gazebo and some chairs, with no staff, so that was that.
"It’s an appalling way to treat people.”
We reported earlier that many emergency service workers are amongst those who have been told their tickets were no longer valid for the second night of the hitmaker's Glasgow shows.
It is thought hundreds of ticket holders have been affected.
Music fans who booked using their Blue Light Card for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector, and armed forces were informed via email less than 24 hours before the show that their tickets were no longer valid.
Fans have been left out of pocket after paying for travel and accommodation to attend the show.
Gig organisers AEG Presents have since apologised for the cancellations which were down to an oversubscription in complimentary ticket allocation.
An AEG spokesperson said: "Unforeseen logistical circumstances have unfortunately resulted in an oversubscription to a complimentary allocation of tickets for tonight’s show.
"This has meant some recipients have unfortunately had their tickets cancelled. We will ensure that those affected will be invited next time Ed plays in Scotland.
"Our customer relations team is currently dealing with all customers who’ve been affected, and we apologise for the inconvenience caused."
The Daily Record has contacted Ticketmaster, Hampden Park and Ed Sheeran's management for comment.
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