Justin Bieber's O2 late show leaves Somerset family out of pocket (From This is The West Country)

Justin Bieber's O2 late show leaves Somerset family out of pocket

6:30am Friday 8th March 2013 in Somerset By Michael Marsh

Tamara Thomas with parents Christine and Dave and her Justin Bieber memorabilia.

PARENTS who forked out almost £200 so their daughter could see singer Justin Bieber live in concert are fuming after the star turned up late.

Tamara Thomas, 15, never got to see the teen sensation because she had to leave London’s O2 Arena on Monday (March 4) night to catch a coach back to Taunton – before Bieber even started.

She travelled to the capital with parents, Dave and Christine, after getting a ticket for Christmas, but she was one of thousands of fans left heartbroken by the Canadian singer’s late appearance.

Dave, 52, said: “When I was younger I went to concerts and still have their memories that do not fade, unfortunately, my daughter won’t have that.

“The guy needs to wake up. We’re going to try for a refund – the ticket cost £72 and it’s not acceptable.”

There was confusion over what time Bieber would go on stage with suggestions it could be as early as 8.30pm, shortly after the three support acts.

But the 19-year-old didn’t emerge until after 10pm due to “technical issues”– by which point Taunton Academy student Tamara had already left.

Many younger fans also had to leave early because it was a ‘school night’ and others were rushing to catch transport home.

Dave, who was in the arena’s leisure complex with Christine, added: “We could hear screaming from outside and we thought he must have come on. At 9pm the arena announced he would be 15 minutes and at 9.30pm they said he would be five.

“But, at about 10pm, I phoned Tamara and said we have to go shortly to catch the coach at Victoria station and she burst into tears and said she hasn’t even seen him yet.

“There were a lot of upset parents there. It cost us almost £200 in total with travel costs and we didn’t get back to Taunton until 5am.”

The O2 said on Tuesday the pop star wasn’t due to go on stage until 9.30pm and Bieber has since apologised.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “I was scheduled to go on stage at 9.30pm not 8.30pm but because of some technical issues I got on at 10.10pm.

“There is no excuse and I apologise for anyone we upset.”