Gillian Walker, 56, bought tickets to see Robbie Williams at Murrayfield Stadium in 2024 when she was still able to walk but an amputation later meant she could no longer attend
A gran was left “devastated” when she found out she couldn’t attend a Robbie Williams concert at Murrayfield Stadium due to a lack of disability access after a leg amputation.
Gillian Walker, 56, from Gilmerton had bought tickets back in 2024, able to walk into the venue, but this weekend’s event became impossible for her following a below-the-knee amputation in February 2025 because of diabetes and kidney issues. When asking for new tickets with disability access, Gillian was initially told it wasn’t possible.
Although initially heartbroken, things took a positive turn for Gillian once Edinburgh Live reached out to Ticketmaster, who then provided her with the necessary disability-accessible seating.
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Gillian, along with her family, hopes to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and its devastating impact when not accommodated. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Gillian’s daughter Laura expressed the frustration over the feared loss of an opportunity not just to enjoy music but also as a celebratory moment for her mother’s resilience.
Laura expressed: “This concert was something she had been looking forward to for a long time to have a normal day with her two best friends, a celebration of her strength and perseverance” , reports Edinburgh Live.
She shared their deep disappointment, explaining that missing out on the event laid bare the persistent challenge individuals with disabilities confront in trying to partake in experiences that ought to be accessible to all.
“She’s attended every Robbie Williams show in Edinburgh or Glasgow for a long time with her mates. She’s never missed one when he came to Scotland. This would’ve been the first time she’ll be missing one.”
Laura alleged that Ticketmaster and Murrayfield Stadium were initially unwilling to accommodate Gillian’s change of circumstances despite Gillian and her two friends shelling out £180 each for their seats.
Laura went on: “It feels like she can’t do anything normal anymore. She feels isolated and penalised for it in a way. In lot of situations, it feels like a lot of things are not well adapted for wheel chair-users or people with disabilities. It’s difficult to get around and doesn’t feel quite normal.
“Mum is a very independent woman and has a lot of self worth. It’s been a big mental journey for her accepting the new life but there are obstacles along the way. It’s super frustrating. I think anybody in life wants to have as normal a life as possible and do things. She feels very different and not normal.
“My mum’s brother has had a disability since birth so it’s really normal in our family but it’s always a struggle for them to be seen as normal people. She didn’t ask for this, all down to illness. And she’s being penalised in a way for that.”
Fortunately, Ticketmaster has since offered Gillian new disability-accessible seats following an appeal by Edinburgh Live. Laura said her mum was “absolutely over the moon” and that she had “not heard her so excited in a long time”. She exclaimed: “She’s absolutely thrilled to be able to go and have the day with her best friends. She can’t believe she’s able to go now.”
A Ticketmaster representative noted: “At the time the request was made in April, we were advised by the venue that there were no accessible tickets available. Following further discussions with the venue, we’ve now been informed that a small number of previously held tickets have been released. We’re pleased to share that these tickets have now been secured for Gillian and her family, and our team has personally contacted them with the good news.”