TV

Manchester Arena reopens with tribute concert, Olivia’s mum can’t attend

Viewers up in arms over TV appearance

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Just over three months since the Manchester bombing, the Manchester Arena is to reopen tomorrow night with a benefit concert in memory of the 22 people who died.

But one person who is not able to attend the We Are Manchester show is Charlotte Campbell – the mother of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, who was tragically killed that night.

The grieving mum shocked Good Morning Britain presenters Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard when she revealed this morning that she couldn’t get a ticket for the event because it’s SOLD OUT.

And the two hosts immediately set about trying to rectify the situation, calling on the organisers to grant Charlotte access to the show and enable her to honour her own daughter

Speaking to the presenters from the venue, Charlotte explained that Saturday’s concert – which will include performances by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the Courteeners and Rick Astley – had her full blessing.

“Life has to go on, unfortunately, and I know that if Olivia was here, she’d be the first one booking tickets to go,” she said.

However, when Kate and Ben asked Charlotte if she and her family would be present at the show, they were left dumbfounded by her response.

“Unfortunately, no we won’t, but only because we couldn’t get any tickets,” she said sadly. “We would’ve been there if we could’ve got tickets.”

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At this point, Kate sprang into action, dropping a massive hint to the show’s organisers that they should grant Charlotte’s wish and get her into the concert.

“Listen, we‘ve got to put that right,” said the host. “If you want to go, you should be there.

“I’m sure that the organisers, if they knew the situation, would love to come forward. Let’s see if we can help you with that.”

And Ben fully backed Kate’s campaign. He added: “Hopefully, somebody from the Arena or somebody who’s watching that’s promoting the concert will get in touch with us so we can make sure that if you would like to be there, you can be there.”

Viewers reacted angrily to the news that Charlotte and her family have been unable to get tickets.

One tweeted: “Surely, the victims’ families should’ve been the first people on the guest list for the Manchester Arena reopening, if they wanted to be there.”

Another scathed: “How have the families of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack not been given tickets?!?!?! What the [expletive]!”

And a third viewer added: “Olivia’s mam is out in the cold whilst the VIPs enjoy the show from their boxes. #MENarena, sort yourselves out!

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The tragedy in Manchester happened when a suicide bomber detonated a device at the end of a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande.

As well as the 22 people killed, 250 people were injured in the attack.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor