so basically, i want to get under the bonnet but cant, pull the handle and the bonnet doesnt release, i've tried a screwdriver through the front grill, tried through the offside side repeater to get hold of the bonnet cable to pull on, no joy, HELP!!

Try from underneath the front of the car, there should be a big enough gap to get some tools in there, will still be finnicky though

I had the same issue a while back. If you go in through the grill, i found it easiest with a torch or light, just to get it in the right place to push the catch to one side. It is fiddly and i found a long 'driver with a narrow shaft and small flat head worked best. Too big a head/shaft, and too short a driver didn't work. It is fiddly but when you've done it once, you're pretty much golden.