Ballon d’Or audience groan at Kate Scott as star-studded crowd endure lengthy delay before Harry Kane crowned winner

KATE SCOTT was met with groans from the star-studded Ballon d’Or audience during Monday night’s ceremony. The popular presenter was hosting the prestigious awards alongside former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry at London’s Palladium. The ceremony was badly delayed, with many in the packed auditorium having been forced to sit and wait patiently for the event to get going. So when Scott revealed proceedings would be interrupted by a commercial break, they let their feelings be known. The announcement went down like a lead balloon, with an audible groan sweeping across the auditorium as some of football’s biggest names were forced to wait even longer. Scott was forced to announce another break later in proceedings which was also met with audible frustration. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS The reaction to the ad breaks was just one of many incidents on a chaotic evening, with the ceremony delayed by 45 minutes after heavy traffic and huge crowds outside the venue disrupted arrivals. Fans watching from home were equally unimpressed, with one writing on social media: “Not the entire room groaning at an ad break lol.” Another sarcastically complained: “There’s some random awards in my commercials can they fix this”, while a third joked: “Damn this whole event could have been an email.” The interruptions came as football’s biggest stars gathered for the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, being held in London for the first time to commemorate Sir Stanley Matthews winning the inaugural award in 1956. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was among the early winners, collecting the men’s young talent award for the third consecutive year. His Barcelona team-mate Vicky Lopez scooped the women’s equivalent for the second year running. Spain boss Luis de la Fuente was crowned men’s coach of the year after guiding his country to World Cup glory, while Barcelona manager Pere Romeu claimed the women’s award. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon and Barcelona’s Cata Coll were also recognised for their performances between the sticks. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work, while Barcelona were named women’s club of the year and Paris Saint-Germain took the men’s prize. And the winner of the biggest prize of the evening was Harry Kane, who won the Ballon d’Or. He is the first English winner since Michael Owen won the award in 2001.