'What a waste of time and expense': Cannock man turned away from Not Going Out filming after 130-mile trip

A Cannock man drove with his family to see a recording of the popular BBC sitcom, but was turned away after a two-hour, 130-mile trip - because the studio was full.

Mark Shipp, aged 47, travelled with his partner Sharon Hurworth, 50, his son Curtis and his girlfriend Grace Austin, both 20, to Pinewood Studios, near Slough, last Saturday.

Despite arriving half an hour ahead of the scheduled doors opening time, they were told the audience capacity had been met and were not allowed in to see the show.

The couples had had the tickets since September, having acquired them online. A spokesman for the production company Avalon has apologised, but said the show had been over-subscribed.

Mark, a sub-editor, has now been offered priority tickets for another recording.

He said: "It was so frustrating. I can't believe we travelled all that way and had to turn back round and come home again. What a waste of time and expense.

"Three of our party had the day off work especially and we were really looking forward to it. We had the tickets in September and had even been sent a reminder the day before.We were angry, upset and disappointed by the whole episode."

mark was told only 350 people are allowed in to the see the recordings. "Many more missed out along with us," he added. "It seems they give out tickets for fun, but then it's a lottery whether you actually get in or not."

The programme stars comedians Lee Mack and Hugh Dennis, as well as Sally Bretton and Abigail Cruttenden. An Avalon spokesman said: "We are subject to over-subscription which we try to make as clear as possible during the booking process.

"Not Going Out has been very popular this year, with people arriving very early and we often fill up quickly."