A railway firm has caused anger after a disabled passenger was made to relocate.
Coronation Street
stars on their way to the British Soap Awards could enjoy their own ‘exclusive’ carriage.
On Saturday, Avanti West Coast staff prevented passengers from occupying their assigned seats so that television celebrities could sit together and have an entire carriage to themselves.
The cast members of Coronation Street, along with their makeup artists, were journeying from Manchester Piccadilly to
London
Euston plans to join the awards ceremony — coincidentally, on the same day, a notice appeared on a train compartment door stating, “Exclusive Carriage — Apologies for today’s trip; this carriage is out of service.”
The notice read: “For those with reservations, kindly consult the host regarding your rescheduled seating!”
As soon as the trip began, a representative from Avanti allegedly kept watch at the entrance of Standard Premium to prevent anybody from coming inside while the cast members sipped on Prosecco.
Multiple celebrities shared pictures of themselves with the cast onboard the train, among them Cait Fitzpatrick and Channique Sterling-Brown.
Passenger Matthew Nichols angrily turned to social media to share the incident, posting on X: “Good morning from an @AvantiWestCoast train where disabled passengers are having their previously reserved seats taken away so that the cast of a television show can all sit together in one car.”
‘It makes you question whether Avanti gives priority to corporate bookings over serving disabled customers.’
He stated: “After the trip began, an Avanti employee stood watch at the entrance of the coach, preventing others from coming inside.”
Meanwhile, several members of the TV show’s cast were eager to invite their friends from the neighboring coach over to celebrate with them by drinking prosecco.
‘Thus, individuals with disabilities have their seating reservations canceled as Avanti employees stand at the entrances to ensure that cast members from a television series (do they really need to be seated next to each other?) can enjoy Prosecco and invite their friends in.’
Following the heated message, Avanti West Coast @AvantiWestCoast responded: “Hello Matthew. We are deeply apologetic about what you’ve experienced. Could you kindly share more details regarding your situation and inform us which journey you’re taking through direct messages? Thank you very much!”
The former “Coronation Street” star Tracie Bennett characterized the event as ‘appalling conduct,’ whereas comedienne Jennie Éclair expressed disbelief that the actors would be willing participants.
The stars from the nation’s beloved soap operas gathered at theHackney Empire inLondon onSaturdayfor their yearly celebration, withJane McDonaldstepping up as the host.
However, it was the BBC’s EastEnders that dominated the evening with eight accolades, whereas Hollyoaks garnered three, Emmerdale took home two, and Coronation Street secured just one award.
They started their winning streak with the Best Episode award going to “Phil’s Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985.”
EastEnders took home the Scene of the Year award for “Angie Watts’ Shock Return,” and Navin Chowdhry was named Best Villain for portraying Nish Panesar.
MailOnline has reached out to Avanti for their input.
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