You know what, I am quite sympathetic to the fact that you wanted to pay to upgrade but couldn't, yet someone got op-upped - and by the sound of it it wasn't a 'necessary' op-up as such.

I think I too would be a bit disappointed with the BA's process if I were in your shoes, but not because of the appearance of the upgradee but because there was no facility to accept a willing volunteer who wished to part with money - I had a similar experience to yours when I wanted to pay to upgrade but there was no paid upgrade but then saw someone was op-upped (genuine op-up due to overbooked flight). It felt a bit disappointing, especially as I got stuck in a noisy, crowded and CW with annoying people who used flash after the lights were turned off.