Disabled train passenger is forced to move so Coronation Street stars on way to Soap Awards could have their own private carriage
A train company has sparked fury after a disabled passenger were forced to move so Coronation Street stars on their way to the British Soap Awards could enjoy their own 'exclusive' carriage.
Passengers were denied access to their allocated seats by Avanti West Coast staff on Saturday so the TV stars could sit together and have a carriage to themselves.
The Corrie stars, alongside their makeup artists, were travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston to attend the awards - with a sign on a carriage door the same day reading 'Exclusive carriage - Sorry for today's journey this carriage is not available'.
The sign added: 'If you have a reservation please speak to the host for your reallocated seat!'
Once the journey was underway, an Avanti staff member reportedly guarded the door to Standard Premium to stop anyone from entering as the cast drank prosecco.
Several stars posted photographs of themselves and the cast while on the train, including Cait Fitton and Channique Sterling-Brown.
Passenger Matthew Nichols furiously took to social media to report the incident, posting on X: 'Good morning from an @AvantiWestCoast train where disabled passengers are being removed from their pre-existing seat reservations so that the cast of a TV show can sit together in one carriage.
'Makes you wonder if Avanti prioritises corporate bookings over disabled customers.'
He added: 'Once the journey was underway, an Avanti staff member [stood] guard at the door to the coach, prohibiting anyone else from entering.
'At the same time, some of the cast from the TV show were keen to bring their friends through from the adjacent coach to join them... in drinking prosecco.
'So, disabled people are removed from their seat reservations whilst Avanti staff guard the doors so that the actors from a TV show (why do they *have* to sit together?) can drink Prosecco and bring their mates in.'
In response to the furious post, Avanti West Coast @AvantiWestCoast replied: 'Hi Matthew. We're extremely sorry to hear this. Are you able to please provide me with further information about your experience, and let me know which service you're travelling on via DM? Many thanks!'
Former Corrie actress Tracie Bennett described the incident as 'horrendous behaviour', while comedian Jennie Éclair said she could not believe the actors would be 'complicit'.
Stars of the country's favourite soaps descended on Hackney Empire in London on Saturday for the annual bash which was hosted by Jane McDonald.
But it was the BBC's EastEnders that cleaned up on the night with eight awards while Hollyoaks received three, Emmerdale two and Coronation Street only one.
They kicked off their wins with Best Episode which went to Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985.
EastEnders also won Scene of the Year for Angie Watts' Shock Return while Navin Chowdhry won Best Villain for his role of Nish Panesar.
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