Two Welsh fans of teen band One Direction win apology from the BBC over competition mix-up

Two Welsh fans of One Direction have won a BBC apology after a Radio 1 prize to meet the boyband turned into the "disappointment of a lifetime".  

Friends Hannah Hastings, 20, and Louisa Marsden, 21, mistakenly thought they had been promised the best seats at the 1D show - and a chance to "meet and greet" the band. 

Hannah and Louisa paid £350 out of their own pockets to travel to Belfast for the concert and an overnight hotel stay. 

But then Radio 1 told the pair they would not meet the band - dashing their dreams of coming face-to-face with their idol Harry Styles.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

And the girls were more upset when tickets at Belfast's Odyssey Arena were a long way from the stage with a poor view.

Law student Hannah and media student Louisa immediately complained to the BBC and television watchdog Ofcom.

Hannah said: "We were so excited when we won - we are both massive fans of the band and especially Harry Styles.

"We heard the competition for tickets being advertised on Radio 1 so I phoned up and got through.

"It was specifically stated by Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney that the prize offered the opportunity to meet and greet the One Direction boys themselves.

"I went live on air and correctly answered questions about which cities in Britain One Direction were playing.

"Radio 1 had been building it up all day as an amazing experience for One Direction fans.

"But the seats were nothing special at all and we were a long way from the front."

The prize was offered on Radio 1 throughout the day on March 10 with the "Take 3" competition broadcast live on the Jameela Jamil Official Chart Show.

Hannah and Louise, of Newport say the trip cost more than front row tickets for the band's shows on their doorstep in Cardiff.

Furious Hannah said: "I really thought I'd won something special

"But from the moment we arrived in Belfast we were told there would be no meet and greet.

"The BBC knew we were flying over from Cardiff at our own expense. I have made an official complaint. It was the disappointment of a lifetime for any 1D fan."

Chris Humphrys, the Content and Schedules Manager for Radio 1, has written to the girls saying he is "sorry" they feel they were let down by the station.

An Ofcom spokesman confirmed they were investigating the complaint.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "The error in which a Radio 1 DJ mistakenly referred to the prize as a "meet and greet" was corrected on air and the nature of the prize was clearly communicated throughout the day.

"The prize of tickets to the sold-out One Direction concert was provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the competition.

"As a gesture of good will, we have also arranged for the winner to receive personalised signed merchandise from the band."