Latest news with #Melvyn
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
EasyJet passenger slams £21 compo offer and demands proof of bird strike
Melvyn Chazen's flight home from Turkey was delayed when birds are said to have struck the plane's engine. A traveller abandoned in Turkey after his easyJet flight was postponed for "almost 20 hours" has turned down the measly £21 compensation offered by the carrier. Melvyn Chazen, from Wavertree, has demanded the budget airline provide "proof" that a bird strike caused the postponement of flight EZY3408 from Bodrum back to the UK. The 83 year old was scheduled to depart Bodrum at 10.40pm on July 2 when birds allegedly collided with the aircraft, resulting in a five-hour postponement. That initial setback escalated into an overnight stay, with easyJet arranging lodging until the next day. EasyJet has previously expressed regret for the flight postponement and stated it rearranged the service to operate the following day due to a bird strike requiring an engineering assessment. Liverpool Echo reports that, in accordance with easyJet policies, a bird strike is deemed beyond the airline's control, meaning passengers are not offered reimbursement for their flight costs. Nevertheless, Melvyn insisted he requires evidence this occurred, otherwise he believes he deserves a full refund. He also alleged the poor communication from the carrier left him "upset" and claimed he was denied food and refreshments with "nowhere to sit down" for hours. EasyJet stated Melvyn is now getting direct assistance from the travel agent through whom he arranged his holiday and the airline "sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay". Melvyn explained: "I went to Turkey for a week on holiday, which was fine. The day we were coming home we were picked up from the hotel by the transfer coach and told that the flight had been delayed for five hours. Instead of departing a 10.40pm it was leaving at 3.30am." However, after travellers reached the airport and "waited an hour" to clear security and customs, passengers discovered the flight had been postponed until the next evening. Melvyn revealed: "They put us up in a hotel but we had to go all the way back through customs and back into Turkey. "It took six hours to get back to a hotel in Turkey, all the while there was no refreshments available, no water, no food offered. We were waiting in long queues with nowhere to sit down and not one member of easyJet staff was there to communicate or check on the customers." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The carrier claimed it maintained contact with passengers through text messages, email and Flight Tracker updates, whilst stating the airport assisted travellers with hotel bookings and meal provisions. Nevertheless, Melvyn revealed he couldn't access his emails or get online, and expected an easyJet representative to be present for direct customer communication. On July 3, Melvyn was transported back to the airport by transfer bus, where he finally caught an easyJet service to Liverpool. It was then he discovered the bird strike that had caused the original flight's postponement, with no compensation offered to passengers despite the "20 hour delay". After returning to Britain, Melvyn revealed that easyJet had offered him £21 in compensation to cover his out-of-pocket expenses for food and beverages during the hold-up. He explained that he was required to submit receipts for his expenditure and is now demanding easyJet furnish evidence of the alleged bird strike. Mr Chazen declared: "I have refused to accept the compensation. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for proof that birds flew into the engine. "They asked me for proof of my £21 so I want them to equally prove their case. I paid £446.01 for the holiday. I feel like I'm entitled to ask for proof, to prove that is the reason why they won't pay out." A spokesperson for easyJet holidays responded: "Mr Chazen is now receiving direct support from the travel agent with whom he originally booked his holiday, to assist with guidance and resolution of his expense claim. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay and appreciate his patience as the matter is brought to a close."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Furious tourist 'offered £21 by easyJet' after being stranded in Turkey
Melvyn Chazen, from Wavertree, is demanding 'proof' after easyJet told customers a bird strike was the reason behind their flight from Bodrum being delayed until the next day A man left stranded in Turkey after his easyJet flight was delayed for "almost 20 hours" has rejected the £21 the airline offered him in compensation. Melvyn Chazen, from Wavertree, has called on the budget airline to provide "proof" that a bird strike forced the delay of flight EZY3408 from Bodrum back to the UK. Melvyn, 83, was meant to fly home from Bodrum at 10.40pm on July 2 when birds are said to have struck the plane, leading to a five-hour delay. That initial delay became an overnight stay, with easyJet providing accommodation until the following day. It comes after a mum who left work 'abruptly' was then found dead in a hotel room. EasyJet previously apologised for the flight being delayed and said it rescheduled the flight to operate the next day due to a bird strike which required an engineering inspection. Liverpool Echo reports that, as in line with easyJet regulations, a bird strike is considered outside of the airlines' control, meaning a passenger refund of the cost of the flight is not offered. However, Melvyn said he wants proof this is what happened otherwise he believes he should be entitled to a refund. He also claimed the time the lack of communication from the airline made him "upset" and said he was left without food and drink and "nowhere to sit down" for hours. EasyJet said Melvyn is now receiving direct support from the travel agent who he booked his holiday with and the airline "sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay". Melvyn said: "I went to Turkey for a week on holiday, which was fine. The day we were coming home we were picked up from the hotel by the transfer coach and told that the flight had been delayed for five hours. Instead of departing a 10.40pm it was leaving at 3.30am." It was once customers arrived at the airport and "waited an hour" to get through security and customs that passengers were told the flight had been delayed until the following evening. Melvyn said: "They put us up in a hotel but we had to go all the way back through customs and back into Turkey. "It took six hours to get back to a hotel in Turkey, all the while there was no refreshments available, no water, no food offered. We were waiting in long queues with nowhere to sit down and not one member of easyJet staff was there to communicate or check on the customers." The airline said it kept customers informed by text, email and on Flight Tracker. It also said the airport helped customers with arrangements for hotel accommodation and meals. However, Melvyn said he didn't have any access to emails and was unable to get online and hoped an easyJet member of staff would have been there to communicate with customers. On July 3, Melvyn was taken back to the airport via transfer bus, where he eventually boarded an easyJet flight to Liverpool. He said this is when he learned about the bird strike that delayed the previous flight. He said no refund was offered to customers despite the "20 hour delay". Upon arriving back in the UK, Melvyn said easyJet offered him £21 in compensation, which covered the costs of the expenses he paid out on food and drink during the delay. He said he was asked to provide proof of the expenses and now wants easyJet to provide evidence of the bird strike. Mr Chazen said: "I have refused to accept the compensation. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for proof that birds flew into the engine. "They asked me for proof of my £21 so I want them to equally prove their case. I paid £446.01 for the holiday. I feel like I'm entitled to ask for proof, to prove that is the reason why they won't pay out." An easyJet holidays spokesperson said: 'Mr Chazen is now receiving direct support from the travel agent with whom he originally booked his holiday, to assist with guidance and resolution of his expense claim. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay and appreciate his patience as the matter is brought to a close.'
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Race Across The World stars reveal the lie they told to trick BBC competitors as part of game plan
Race Across The World stars Brian and Melvyn have revealed the lie they told to trick their competitors in a bid to win the BBC show. The brothers took part in the most recent series of the programme - and they weren't afraid to play a little dirty as part of their sneaky game plan. The fifth series of the beloved show wrapped up in on June 19 and treated fans to a reunion show to show the best bits of the season. Gaz and Yin, Elizabeth and Letitia, Fin and Sioned, Caroline and Tom and the siblings appeared on the reunion to catch up and discuss their time on Race Across The World. During the reunion episode, their co-star Letitia - who placed second alongside her sister Elizabeth - pointed out that the brothers were always short for cash. Brian said: 'We did tell a few porky pies didn't we?' The brothers took part in the most recent series of the programme - and they weren't afraid to play a little dirty as part of their sneaky game plan. Melvyn replied: 'No we didn't!' Letitia replied: 'I think it was when we saw you guys on the luxury bus, we were like "What?!"' Melvyn told viewers: 'The other teams would come into checkpoint and they'd say, 'Well, how do you think you're doing?' and we'd say, "God, that was an expensive leg".' The pair didn't feel bad about it at all as they showed a number of clips of them lying throughout the series. Brian even went on to say that they all did it - but Sioned, who took part with boyfriend Fin, told him: 'I didn't. It was just you!' A shocked Melvyn asked: 'So we were the only ones who were bulling?' Brian and Melvyn narrowly missed out on the top spot as they ended up placing fourth. But they did all the could in a bid to be crowned winners of the fifth series of the beloved show. It comes after Race Across The World star Yin broke down in tears as she broke down in tears over the 'bizarre' situation with her ex during the reunion episode. The instalment got very emotional, especially when exes Yin and Gaz - who were the first out of the show - opened up about their time on the programme. The former couple were married for more than 30 years but split three years ago. Speaking about how it works between the two, Gaz said: 'It probably has brought us more together. What we want in life for the pair of us is to just be happy.' He added: 'Whether I or Yin find love again, we will always be in each others' lives because we are just great friends. Speaking about how it works between the two, Gaz said: 'It probably has brought us more together. What we want in life for the pair of us is to just be happy' 'It probably looks bizarre to the outside world, but to us it's normal.' Yin looked touched as Gaz said: 'All I've ever wanted was the best for Yin and I'm just very proud of how Yin has become.' Yin also opened up about just how much being part of the much-loved series has changed her as a person. Talking to the camera, Yin said: 'Since leaving Race, I recognised that I was struggling already with what China means to me personally. 'My heritage is Chinese and I do identify as a Chinese person. 'Where I struggle is, with my upbringing, it was in a very traditional household. 'I didn't leave home on good terms with my parents.' Clearly getting very emotional at the dining table with the rest of her co-stars, she continued: 'Some of the struggles I went through are probably quite unique in the sense of because I look Chinese, I don't speak mandarin. 'I've struggled with my Chinese heritage.' She then explained that the death of her partner is what really encouraged her to take part. Yin continued: 'When I came back from Race I reconnected with my siblings and recognised that has to be addressed. 'The real gift that Race gave me was to address that then move forward with my life... 'My partner, who I had been with for three years, had passed away very suddenly in September 2023. 'One of the reasons to come on Race was to give me energy to see what is out there. 'The relief and lightness I now feel, I do feel like one of the biggest things that I've probably hanged about my self, life is there to live. 'It was the catalyst to enable me to move forward.' This year's series of Race Across the World hit our screens on 23 April. After nine episodes, the show finished last week. And it was mother-son duo Caroline and Tom who were crowned winners. It comes after Gaz left his ex-wife Yin emotional with a heart-wrenching confession live on Lorraine. Ranvir Singh stepped in for Lorraine and hosted the ITV morning show on Tuesday. The pair have been separated for three years and at one point during the interview, discussed their marriage breakdown on Lorraine. Gaz reflected: 'Like all break ups it was hard, I'm of that generation where what do you do? You try and blank it out, have a few beers and sort of forget about it.' He admitted that Yin 'helped' him and explained: 'She's an amazing person and I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for Yin. 'It wasn't that bad but it got to the point where I didn't like myself, I didn't like what I was doing, I just didn't want to be around anybody, very insular. 'Yin was the one that kept pushing me.' Yin appeared to be emotional as she interjected with praise for her former husband and said: 'He put in so much hard work and I'm just so proud of him.' Race Across The World is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC's Race Across The World fan favourites nearly didn't make the start line
The show's 8million viewers loved watching the 60-something pair have a whale of a time as they travelled 9,000 miles across Asia, with many hoping they would win Race Across the World brothers Melvyn and Brian Mole nearly didn't make it onto the show together - because elder brother Melvyn asked everyone he knew before thinking of his sibling. Viewers watching the pair, both in their 60s, over the last two months learned that they had been brought up by parents who treated them very differently - Melvyn went to a local state school while Brian was sent away to private school, and no explanations were given. But they became firm favourites with the audience as they grew closer together and tackled the gulf between them that had been created in childhood. Now driving instructor Melvyn, 65, has revealed he didn't think to ask financial advisor Brian to join him in his application for the series until the last moment. 'I rang Brian after I'd asked the wife and every other friend I'd had and then thought, 'I better ask Brian and so if he wants to come' - he said yes straight away.' Brian laughed: 'He ran out of everybody then said 'Brian, do you fancy doing Race Across the World?'' Since finishing Race Across the World, recorded last year, their newfound bond has remained intact. Brian revealed on BBC Breakfast that they now speak on a daily basis and are now 'enjoying life' with regular meet ups while Melvyn said: 'We are a lot closer. We understand one another a wee bit better.' That's not to say the 9,000 mile journey across China, India and Nepal wasn't without it's problems. 'Sitting next to Melvyn for 11 or 12 hours on a bus or a train was hard work – he just goes on and on,' said Brian, a retired financial advisor. But they said they would get over any arguments by giving each other 10 minutes of peace. 'Then we'd be best of friends again,' driving instructor Melvyn beamed. And they said that others who feel they might not be able to cope with the rigours of travelling should also give it a whirl. 'If a couple of old fellas can do this and do really well on it, then come on, anyone can do it! Age isn't a barrier is it?' Many fans had hoped the pair - who had won three previous legs - would triumph overall. But they lost their place as leaders during the penultimate leg after opting to take a quieter route moving south through India, avoiding the huge city of Mumbai. It meant they started the last leg behind eventual winners Caroline and Tom by 17 hours and in the end they finished in fourth place. But they took heart from knowing they'd made up many hours en route, meaning they were the fastest pair to complete the last leg. Sitting on the sofa with teen couple Cray and Fin Gough, the brothers said they were 'really proud' of how the youngsters had done. 'We're proud of you too,' Sioned declared, as presenter Naga Munchetty commented on their friendly banter. 'We all got on so well but sometimes it's as though they want you to antagonise one another,' Brian said. 'That's what makes telly watchable,' Naga told them. 'But the good stuff makes it watchable as well. Thanks for bringing the good stuff.' Sioned revealed that said she and boyfriend Fin Gough took part in the BBC show thanks to her mother - who had suggested that she went travelling with her brother. 'I didn't think that would go well,' she admitted. The couple said that the show has transformed their lives. 'Our growth was very evident to the viewers watching,' she said. 'We lacked confidence before - now we just go for it with life a bit more.' 'We want to do bigger and better things and travel and see the world more,' Fin agreed.
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Race Across the World fans call for change and say they are 'getting bored'
Race Across the World fans call for change and say they are 'getting bored' One viewer said it was 'too much' Race Across the World's final episode of the fifth series will be aired on Wednesday evening, June 11, on BBC One (Image: BBC ) Fans of Race Across the World have had their say on the fifth series of the BBC travel programme. As it comes to an end, with the final episode airing on Wednesday evening, June 11, many viewers have been sharing their views on the last seven episodes. The fifth series of the BBC competition programme introduced us to five teams, former married couple Yin and Gaz, sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, young couple Fin and Sioned, brothers Brian and Melvyn, and mother and son duo Caroline and Tom. While Yin and Gaz were eliminated after not reaching the third checkpoint, the four other teams have managed to travel all the way from the Great Wall of China at Huanghuacheng in China, through Nepal and into India. The final checkpoint will be in Kanyakumari - the southernmost tip of India. The seventh episode saw Caroline and Tom reach first position while Brian and Melvyn ended up last with a 17-hour difference, despite finishing on top in the last checkpoint. While it has undoubtedly been an exciting race for the competitors and the viewers watching from home, with many twists and turns along the way, some fans have expressed their feelings on the recent series and have called for change. On X, formerly known as Twitter, some fans have asked for the series to show less "sob story" segments. Article continues below With each episode, viewers get to find out more about the contestants, who are often friends, family or couples, their lives before the race and their reasons behind taking part in it. One fan, named @Wilderauthor, on X said: "This series producers have ruined Race Across the World with long drawn out sob story segments, it's too much! "People watch for the locations, the experiences, the excitement of the race across the world. Also it jumps too much, one moment they are stuck next they arrive, no info." Some fans agreed, with one saying: "Said exactly the same last night watching the show." While another fan, named @Supernovadragon on X, had this to say: "Please for future series, less sob stories and more racing. I'm getting bored of the stories." In response, another viewer remarked: "It's fine getting to know the contestants but when it detracts from seeing the adventures there's an issue". @ThornhillNina said: "These people are watchable enough, they are all worthy. Please stop forcing sob stories it's not X Factor." But not everyone felt the same way. One fan, named @lfc_lara, said: "I'm so obsessed with Brian and Melvyn from Race Across the World. To see older British men speak about their childhoods in the way they do is so moving and so important for reminding young men: your feelings are valid." Article continues below Another fan agreed and responded with: "Watching it now, they are so open about their childhood trauma. Very moving." Viewers can watch the final of Race Across the World on Wednesday, June 11, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
