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by Rebecca Tuffin
It was more a case of Take Me Home than Take Me Out when a family was turned away from filming of the popular ITV dating show - despite twice being promised entry.
Louise Llewellyn and her daughters Nuala,14, and 12-year-old Samara first tried to see the show hosted by Paddy McGuinness earlier this month but were denied access even though they had priority tickets guaranteeing a seat in the audience.
The trio had bought outfits, arranged a babysitter and paid for parking at a park and ride where they boarded the bus for the Maidstone Studios at Vinters Park.
But the excitement turned to disappointment when they were told the venue could not accommodate any more people.
The 48-year-old mum, from Wateringbury, contacted TV audience company Applause Store which provides the tickets.
She said: “The man I spoke to was very apologetic and offered us five priority tickets to another Take Me Out showing.
"I was happy with this and decided to take my niece and nephew along.”
But all were to face being let down once again when they were turned away for a second time last Wednesday.
“There was a 1980s dress-up theme and we bought costumes,” says Ms Llewellyn.
“We were all excited. This time we were further ahead in the queue and then we were sent to the front for priority.”
The group waited for 20 minutes before being told that no one else was allowed in.
“My daughter was in tears. I heard the woman telling someone this was a one-off incident.
"We must have very bad luck for it to happen twice in a row.
“The tickets may be free but they come with a price. People come from all around, as far afield as Bournemouth.
"They shouldn’t promise to guarantee seats when they can’t.”
Ms Llewellyn has sent another letter to Applause Store but has not yet heard back Applause Store said it cannot comment without being able to identify the individual case.