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Original poster

BGT live semi finals

285 replies

Stopdropnroll · 17/05/2022 22:11

I've got tickets for the first BGT semi final but it's one of those where they give away too many tickets so you have to go and queue on the day.

In a moment of madness I've booked train tickets and a hotel on the off chance we manage to get in but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of this or any tips!

It's at Hammersmith appollo so I've booked hotel nearby as I'll have DD(8) with me so if we do get in I don't want to be dragging her on the tube late at night.

Our train gets into Euston at 9.10 so we'll tube it straight to Hammersmith to get in the queue but I'm wondering if we'll be too late even by then. I've seen something online from 2019 that said they started giving out tickets at 9.30 and all were gone by 11am... We would be there before 11am but probably only by half an hour.

If anyone has any experience of this let me know. I've already warned DD that we might not get tickets and that we'll have a lovely couple of days in London if we don't. Just want to know if I'm completely mad even trying to get tickets 😬

OP posts:
Bonjovispyjamas · 29/05/2023 23:19

Just got home. Was a great night, my ears are still ringing. Think it was the best semi final I've been to and seats were actually really good. Still laughing at Ant falling over 🤣

nedwobyak · 30/05/2023 08:38

Bonjovispyjamas · 29/05/2023 23:19

Just got home. Was a great night, my ears are still ringing. Think it was the best semi final I've been to and seats were actually really good. Still laughing at Ant falling over 🤣

Haha ant falling over was too funny! Glad you had a great time!
What time do the judges arrive at the Apollo?we are travelling up today to Hammersmith in prep for show tomorrow cos of the train strikes and wondered if we would catch a glimpse of them tonight if we were nosey lol.
So glad Amy got through I think she's incredible. Wish I was able to go for the final as well 😔

Bonjovispjs · 30/05/2023 10:58

nedwobyak · 30/05/2023 08:38

Haha ant falling over was too funny! Glad you had a great time!
What time do the judges arrive at the Apollo?we are travelling up today to Hammersmith in prep for show tomorrow cos of the train strikes and wondered if we would catch a glimpse of them tonight if we were nosey lol.
So glad Amy got through I think she's incredible. Wish I was able to go for the final as well 😔

Show quote history

No idea I'm afraid, I've never seen them arrive. I've seen the acts and Diversity arrive yesterday, they're all brought by coach, I guess for rehearsals, would imagine the judges arrive much later, but I don't know. I think they can drive around to the judges/acts entrances, so you might not get to see much of them anyway if they were in a car.

Boglins · 30/05/2023 13:22

If anyone gets allocated tickets for Friday's show and is unable to go, please would you PM me? A family member is on the Friday show but we don't currently have enough tickets and as you can imagine we'd really love to be there. I believe it's possible to transfer to someone with the same surname and mine is quite a common one so I'm crossing everything that we might get lucky this way!

Pinkstar28 · 30/05/2023 16:26

Boglins · 30/05/2023 13:22

If anyone gets allocated tickets for Friday's show and is unable to go, please would you PM me? A family member is on the Friday show but we don't currently have enough tickets and as you can imagine we'd really love to be there. I believe it's possible to transfer to someone with the same surname and mine is quite a common one so I'm crossing everything that we might get lucky this way!

Friday is still showing availability.

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 00:34

Hi all!

It's my first time attending the live shows tomorrow and the ticket time says 5pm and I've gone through all 10 pages on here from last year to now and I'm just not sure what time to arrive for the tickets? I'm fairly local (live in Kings Cross) planning to leave at 9 and probably arrive for 9.40 ish as it's a 40min journey. I suffer from incontinence (just turned 24 have Pcos and endometriosis but docs aren't much help with my toilet issues) and I have to regularly use the bathroom and it's something that takes the joy out of normal things and queing with a possible long wait is giving me extreme anxiety not being to relieve myself, I don't fancy walking around wet haha (I've started wearing the discreet always brand nappy pants sometimes it holds and other times it doesn't) and also my partner is in crutches so I hope it isn't a crazy wait! What's everyone's experience been like this week with queing up? Are there toilets to access and if so can you jump in and out of the que for it?

Pinkstar28 · 31/05/2023 06:51

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 00:34

Hi all!

It's my first time attending the live shows tomorrow and the ticket time says 5pm and I've gone through all 10 pages on here from last year to now and I'm just not sure what time to arrive for the tickets? I'm fairly local (live in Kings Cross) planning to leave at 9 and probably arrive for 9.40 ish as it's a 40min journey. I suffer from incontinence (just turned 24 have Pcos and endometriosis but docs aren't much help with my toilet issues) and I have to regularly use the bathroom and it's something that takes the joy out of normal things and queing with a possible long wait is giving me extreme anxiety not being to relieve myself, I don't fancy walking around wet haha (I've started wearing the discreet always brand nappy pants sometimes it holds and other times it doesn't) and also my partner is in crutches so I hope it isn't a crazy wait! What's everyone's experience been like this week with queing up? Are there toilets to access and if so can you jump in and out of the que for it?

Not sure where nearest toilets are but I know I can’t leave and re access the que. Depending how busy it is, it may be worth waiting and going a little later. I went last year at 10 and was away by 11. The que didn’t open till 1030ish. It seems to be the same this year by someone else’s post. Once the que is open and moving it should move quicker but then you run the risk of missing out. I have read people still getting them later on tho as well. We are coming today arriving around 9am I can update you on the que when I’m there if helpful?

Bonjovispjs · 31/05/2023 07:05

There are toilets in the shopping centre where the tube station is, 2 minutes walk from the venue. On Monday the Applause Store guy came out and spoke to the crowd about how everything worked. One of the things he said was if you leave the queue, you have to go right to the back when you rejoin, no one is allowed to hold your place for you. Although he didn't appear until it was nearly time time to give out the tickets, so before that, I guess no one could stop you. Don't think they had security guards around at that point, but I'm not sure, I've seen people leave and rejoin the queue in the past, so hopefully you'll be okay.

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 09:14

Thanks for your help! Yes I'd love an update it would ease the stress of something that seems so silly for me to be worrying over, I'm keeping my mind positive on having a lovely evening out and this thread has definitely helped out so far

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 09:16

That's so helpful thank you I can quickly nip to the bathroom before queing up and hopefully that should keep me at bay until collecting tickets if I'm successful as I'm sure I'd have missed that little gem!

Pinkstar28 · 31/05/2023 10:42

Sorry we got her a bit later than expected. Started handing out wristbands at 1030

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 11:39

Got my tickets! Got there for 10:30 and it's now 11:38 and just got on the tube going back home so it was a fairly quick process was pleased!

Bonjovispyjamas · 31/05/2023 12:20

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 11:39

Got my tickets! Got there for 10:30 and it's now 11:38 and just got on the tube going back home so it was a fairly quick process was pleased!

Glad it worked out for you and the toilet situation wasn't too stressful. Enjoy tonight, you'll have a great time 😊

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 12:54

I wasn't given great seating though was gutted I'm in Circle Block 4 I wonder if earlier is better seating or later in queing? I have tickets for the finals on Sunday so just wondering which one to gamble for. It all worked out because it was only about an hour wait and my bladder behaved for this time but as later is quite longer hopefully it's not disastrous.

Samanthalala82 · 31/05/2023 13:00

We also got tickets for this eve. Does anyone else’s tickets say 12+? I showed ID for my 8 and 10 year olds so a bit confused! Didn’t notice until we’d left the queue

Original poster
Stopdropnroll · 31/05/2023 13:18

Samanthalala82 · 31/05/2023 13:00

We also got tickets for this eve. Does anyone else’s tickets say 12+? I showed ID for my 8 and 10 year olds so a bit confused! Didn’t notice until we’d left the queue

Ours were the same last year, dunno why it says 12+ on the actual tickets but no one was bothered when we got there in the evening.

OP posts:
venners · 31/05/2023 13:25

Glad to hear you all got tickets this year. It’ll be our first time tomorrow. Can I ask what time you all joined the queue, received tickets/wristbands and where were seated please. Thx.

liera · 31/05/2023 13:49

Help! Has anyone been able to get into the BGT semi-finals when the person whose name is the ticketholder can't join and you don't share a surname? 🙁We have Jun 1 priority tickets for the ticketholder and up to 4 guests, but now the ticketholder can't join and none of us are related, so we wanted to know if it's worth making the trek to Hammersmith to convince them to let us in. Only the ticket holder's name is on the ticket, not the 4 of us guests.

venners · 31/05/2023 14:10

Also, what did you all do to fill long gap between receiving tickets and the performance? Looking for great ideas as going with 4 teenagers and it’ll be a lonnng day. TIA x

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 14:11

I got there for 10:30 today and that's when they just started handing out the wristbands and tickets and it moved on quick, I was at the back of the que , I left at 11:22 so fast process in my opinion I'm seated in the Circle area not happy about that but it's still something to get to enjoy some kind of experience hopefully better luck next time, anyone travelling by tube exit the station in the exit that shows you where buses are and follow the sign passed the barriers above you which says "Hammersmith Apollo" it's across the road from the station on the opposite side of the crossing

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 14:12

I'm there this evening I could ask them for you? Perhaps remind me around 6:30 to remember to ask but you could ask the applause store on WhatsApp they also assist you

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 14:16

I live in Kings Cross so was home in like half an hour, depending what your kids like you could visit Oxford Street or Shepherds Bush Westfield, VR game rooms or escape rooms, there are also outdoor murder mystery games where it takes a few hours finding clues through out london to solve the mystery , indoor rollerskating(it's like a disco venue with popular music), tour buses, Jack the Ripper guide etc loads to do tbf

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 14:16

They're very strict on bringing ID so don't forget those!!

liera · 31/05/2023 14:36

@caramelbambii thanks for the offer to ask on our behalf! I did contact ApplauseStore on WhatsApp and got an auto-message that they are overwhelmed with questions about BGT now so might not respond for a few days, which would be too late for us since our tix are for tomorrow.

summer1971 · 31/05/2023 14:47

I’m sorry to say, I don’t think you’ll get in 😞 They are very thorough about checking IDs and making sure it matches the name on the ticket.