My father flew back from Durham Tees Valley this morning and when he got to his seat in the F70 at the back (the last row: 17) he found the pitch quite tight so went up to the stewardess in front and asked it if would be possible to sit there (there being one of the Europe Select rows).
She said it was no problem and even got served a Europe Select meal.

He said he did not show his boarding pass so I am pretty sure they did not know he was Platinum (unless they saw it on the PIL). His Gold colleague was also allowed to sit in Europe Select.^

All in all it was nice of the flight attendants to seat him in front. But seriously, which check-in agents places a PE member in the last row?!