Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), now Air New Zealand were interested in the Comet 5 to replace their Dougas DC-6 airliners, but because BOAC wasn't interested, the type never went beyond the initial concept idea and TEAL purchased Lockheed L.188C Electras instead.
One of the problems of the time.
An over-controlling government who still thought that the loss of the empire was a temporary blip would only allow the UK industry to develop aircraft for the UK operators. Boeing on the other hand, had no such daft restrictions, and a clear understanding that you should develop aircraft for the maximum number of overseas customers.
G