Azure password apparently wrong, secondary email for Microsoft verification code no longer active = can't log into Azure account!

Hi all,

I have an absolutely infuriating problem with my Microsoft Azure account and I'm desperate for help.

Backstory - the Azure account was set up by a previous friend/freelancer who I'm no longer on talking terms with. I have a customer SQL database that said former friend hosted the back end on using Azure.

I am not a techy at all - all I can do via the Azure back-end portal is to add 'safe' IP addresses to grant myself access to the database front-end when my dynamic home IP address changes, or when I need to access my database when I'm away from home.

The only other thing I use Azure for is to download invoices for my accounts.

Up until recently my browser cookies were automatically filling in the login credentials to login to Azure, so when this suddenly changed and I was asked to populate those fields manually, apparently my password is wrong. When I then select the 'Forgotten password' option, the only contingency I'm offered is to have a verification code sent to the back-up email address - major problem straight away - said email address was a previous work email, which is now no longer active. And there is zero chance to get it back up and running.

And that's it - no other contingencies, I'm just stuck.

In the last 3 weeks I've had numerous , fruitless online chats with Microsoft Support, been called twice during my sleep (I'm UK-based and apparently Microsoft's support staff seem to forget that people can be based in different time zones), all of which has wound its way around to me being absolutely no closer to a resolution than when I first encountered this problem.

I've created a trial Azure account using my personal email address as Microsoft's Support ticket system insists on being signed into an account of some sort. Which is the main crux of my problem - I can't sign into my Azure account with the details pertaining to that account!

I am at my wit's end, and now discover that Microsoft want to charge me $29.99 per month for their support - I don't need ongoing support, I just need someone to show some basic competence and initiative, and help me gain access to my account by simply updated my secondary, back-up email.

Please help!!!!!