GB News presenter Ellie Costello has admitted she regularly boards planes with “oversized” hand luggage and has a sneaky trick to get away with it.

Speaking on air, Ellie confessed: “I generally… maybe I shouldn’t admit to this on TV, but it’s too late I always go on with oversized bags.

“I get very panicked and stressed. Thankfully, I haven’t been caught out. I generally try and hide it behind me or make it look smaller.”

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Her revelation came during a discussion about whether airlines should scrap cabin bag charges altogether.

“It’s getting very difficult these days,” Ellie said.

“Some budget airlines, I won’t say the name, are now making you put it in a little cage. And even if it’s a centimetre over, they’re charging you on the spot. I’ve seen it happen to a lot of people.”

Her admission came ahead of a lively debate about whether airlines should scrap cabin bag charges altogether, a discussion that’s taken on new relevance after Brussels hinted it could soon ban airlines from charging passengers for basic carry-on luggage.

The European Parliament has already backed proposals calling for uniform hand luggage rules across the bloc, including free-of-charge cabin bags for all passengers.

Lawmakers argue that carry-on luggage is an “essential” part of air travel and should not be subject to what they describe as “hidden fees” by airlines.

While Britain is no longer bound by EU law after Brexit, consumer groups say such a move could still put pressure on UK carriers to follow suit.

Budget carriers often offer low headline ticket prices, but critics say they make up the difference by charging extra for services passengers once took for granted, including the ability to bring a standard cabin bag on board.

In recent years, some airlines have tightened rules further, only allowing passengers to bring a small bag that fits under the seat unless they pay an additional fee.

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Consumer watchdogs have accused airlines of using baggage fees to mislead customers about the true cost of travel, while the industry insists the charges help keep fares down for those who travel light.

The European Court of Justice has already ruled that hand luggage which is “suitable for carrying by the passenger” and “meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and size” must be considered part of the ticket price.

This ruling underpins the EU’s latest push to ban charges entirely.