Any bodgers about?

Does the ‘thing’ look like it should come out? What about using a bigger screw.

Yes, the 'thing' sinks down into the back of the toilet, and the screws on the seat go into the thing.

I think when you screw into it, the thing sort of expands to sit snugly.

But my thing has gone too far inside, and the screw isn't screwing into anything.

Is the ‘thing’ a rail plug? If it’s gone to far in could you put another one in and the try the screw.

Rawl plug

The concept is like a Rawl plug, bit it's quite a complicated plastic thing.

I did buy some replacement things, but the original is still in the hole, and no room for another.

New toilet seat. They’re a nightmare.

Try a magnet

Post a picture, then we might be more able to advise

So I’m guessing you can’t poke/push it on through to drop out of the other end if there is a hole. Would it be possible to get some long nose pliers in there and waggle it about or break bits off until it was loose enough to get the bits off.

Yes, good idea.
I've got to wait for my phone to charge a lot, because that too is playing up and keeps switching off. Happy days!

Only alternative if nothing else works...just a temp fix is to get a match, a used one and break in half. Put half into the hole,(to one side if poss, then put screw in and screw down hard. It will bite into the match and hold down seat...but not forever.

I could maybe push it further inside, and it would have to stay there, but the screw is in the way.
Honestly, I've spent more time in the last few months with my face almost down the lav than I care to think about.

Aha! A match stick might work just for now.

Try taking the battery out of your phone put it on a flat surface and see if it spins. You’ll need a new one if it does.
This happened to my phone and when it got to the stage where it wouldn’t even start properly after switching itself off I bought a new phone.

Long nose pliers would be far too thick to be able to enter the hole and then widen to break bits off. The holes aren't that big.

I need a new phone; this one keeps turning on, off, clicking onto all kinds of things.

It's a bit like Triggers broom in 'Only fools and horses'.

Depending on how wide the hole is, use half the match or both halves if screw will fit in as well.

Keep phone on charge then just do the match thing then come back to us

Right then.
I'm off to try a matchstick (hope I've got one!)

Ahh I didn’t think about the opening up of pliers * Gabriella* ? this would be a job where I would be going back and forth to the tool box trying all sorts and using a lot of bad language?

Oh rogue toilet seats!

I had one once that either slammed the lid down on your back or tried to throw you off like a bucking bronco!

I complained to Me P about it on several occasions!

Result? On Christmas morning I was presented with a beautifully wrapped, large box which contained..........a toilet seat!

How lovely thoughtful Phoenix
Was it a heated one?

No, GabriellaG54 just a "bog" standard one

He did actually fit it the same day, which was something.

Unlike the time I unwrapped what I thought/hoped was a tablet (Ipad, Kindle etc) as it seemed to be the right shape, only to find that I was the less than proud possessor of a digital air compressor for blowing up tyres

I'm back.
It has 5 cocktail sticks in there, and it's wonky (of course!) but on for a little while, I think. if people are careful about sitting down.

Thank you Gabriella and Chestnut