Mariella Frostrup ends Devon trip sitting on floor of GWR train despite having a first class ticket

Mariella Frostrup hosts a Q&A event to launch the final episode of The Grand Tour, at BBC TV Centre in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 10, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Grand. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Presenter and journalist Mariella Frostrup has spoken out about her unpleasant experience on a Great Western Railway train (GWR) journey after a holiday in Devon. Despite having a first class ticket, Mariella was forced to sit on the floor outside the toilet during the two-hour journey from Tiverton Parkway to Paddington.

The 61-year-old presenter was returning to London after a wellness retreat and had splashed out on first class ticket. However, after she found herself without a seat for the journey she took to social media to share her experience.

Taking on X, formerly known as Twitter, she said: "New lows for ⁦ @GWRHelp ⁩ A first class advance ticket buys you a seat on floor outside the toilet in a train where it’s standing room from front to rear… I’m getting back in my car!".

READ MORE:Couple who bought new home make grim discovering after opening the fridge

READ MORE:Exeter bus lane proposals branded 'ridiculous'

Although she had a ticket for first class in advance of the journey, Mariella was let without a seat. An hour and half into her journey, she posted another photo of herself working on the floor.

Posting with a picture of her laptop resting on her bag and kneeling on a newspaper, Mariella said: "Is photo proof @gwrhelp that I’ve just sat on the floor from Tiverton Parkway to Paddington DESPITE holding a first class ticket?

"I’ve just been told (after queuing at your Padd tix office for 15 mins) that I need to write and request compensation! Could you make it any harder?"

People flooded the comments section under Mariella's posts. One person said: "When you travel by coach or plane you get allocated a seat. For short urban journeys it's fine not to get allocated a seat. For longer intercity journeys it's one of the scandals and cons about the modern British Railway that you pay a premium and aren't even guaranteed a seat."

Another person commented: "The compensation should be automatic. They know the info and should be expected to pay".

Someone else added: "Probably cheaper to drive, fuel and park than the cost of the ticket."

A spokesperson for Great Western Railway said: "We are really sorry to hear of the customer's experience. If you have reserved a seat but are not able to sit down, you are entitled to compensation and we will follow this up."