The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) lost the money after it bulk-bought tickets to the musical's 2012 premiere and attempted to sell them on to supporters for a profit.

Charity executives hoped money from the sale of the tickets would contribute towards its Children's Air Ambulance service, which flies critically ill youngsters to hospital, but demand was much lower than anticipated, leaving them nursing a financial loss.

The musical, which featured British pop stars Beverley Knight and Alexandra Burke during its run, closed at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in August, 2014.

A spokesman for the charity says, "In 2012, TAAS purchased seats to resell for the London premiere of The Bodyguard, a method of fundraising used by other U.K. charities. Unfortunately the event was not commercially successful due to poorer than anticipated ticket sales. 2012 was a record year for fundraising for TAAS and this was the only event not to make a profit. TAAS now has in place an experienced fundraising team and robust strategy to ensure each event is profitable in its own right."