First Passport - Confirming identity, need help.

[Riori]

Hi!
I recently had my citizenship ceremony and am now applying for a passport. Apparently I need someone to confirm my identity and it is similar requirements as the referee for British citizenship except an added thing of needing a current passport, which I phoned and they confirmed it must not be expired.

Both referees which I passed citizenship with had passport numbers but unfortunately their passports had expired due to the lack of being able to travel for the past few years. I am finding it difficult to find someone with a valid passport as well as meeting other requirements.

Has anyone had a similar situation? Are we able to request an in person interview?