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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Kathleen Speirs & Fionnuala Boyle

Mum 'forced to use tout' after Ed Sheeran ticket cancelled just before Hampden gig

A Scots mum, whose Ed Sheeran tickets were cancelled hours before his Hampden Park gig, felt forced to use a tout to ensure her devastated daughter wouldn't miss out.

Glasgow Live previously reported that a number of tickets were deemed void just before the singer's sell-out gig on Friday.

Many of those affected by the massive blunder were Blue Light workers.

READ MORE: Ed Sheeran fans who had tickets cancelled due to overselling 'invited' to next tour

Fuming punters rocked up at Hampden Park in a desperate bid to get into the event.

One enraged mother, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Record: “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."

Some Scots felt forced to buy tickets from greedy touts in order to see Ed Sheeran live at Hampden Park on June 17 (Reach PLC)

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."

One of the many punters left fuming after a huge blunder with Ed Sheeran tickets on June 17 at Hampden Park in Glasgow (Reach PLC)

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.”

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.

Some Blue Light workers' tickets for the Ed Sheeran gig at Hampden Park were cancelled on the day, causing uproar (Reach PLC)

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 contacted Ticketmaster, Hampden Park and Ed Sheeran's management for comment.

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