DOZENS of Donny Osmond fans were left disappointed after splashing out more than £250 each on VIP tickets to meet their idol.

Fans who bought top-priced "platinum" tickets to see the 1970s heartthrob perform at the Reebok Stadium last Saturday were told the package included a chance to meet Donny before he took to the stage and at an after-show party.

But angry fans who never met their idol have since inundated the star's website with complaints.

Kim Owen, aged 43, of Bolton Road, Kearsley, and pal Julie Harris, aged 46, of Cloughfold, who both work as home care workers, were among them.

Mrs Owen said: "We paid £587, including VAT, for two platinum tickets. It's a lot of money but we used to love his music when we were kids and we thought it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet him."

When they arrived, there were around 300 people waiting to see their idol. But not everybody got a chance because time ran out as the start of the show approached.

Mrs Owen said: "It didn't take us long to realise there was no way he was going to get round to us before he had to go backstage.

"We were disappointed, but we thought at least we'd have a chance to see him at the post-show party."

The meeting never took place because the star had a change of heart.

Mrs Harris said: "We had a table quite near the front, but spent most of the concert facing a load of women's bums because people rushed to the front of the stage and were standing on chairs.

"We stayed right to the end of the after-show party, but he never turned up. I feel as if we were ripped off."

The tickets also included a champagne reception and four-course dinner.

A spokesman for the Reebok Stadium said: "Overall the event was a great success and Donny was a consummate professional.

"We sold 246 platinum tickets and Donny saw as many people at the meet-and-greet as he could.

"We had been expecting Donny to appear at the post show party, but he decided it would be better to meet his fans before the show when he was at his best."

"We've had a number of complaints, but we've also had some very positive emails."