03 January 2024 , 07:29
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Alex Batty, the teenager who vanished six years ago during a holiday to Spain, has appeared in his first televised interview since returning to the UK.
The teenager, 17, pleaded that he didn't want his mother and grandfather to face jail as investigations into his disappearance continue. Alex hugged his grandmother Susan Caruana, as they both spoke to GMB in their first TV interview since he was found, speaking to hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid.
While appearing live on the show, while also featuring in a pre-recorded interview, Alex confessed he did not think he would see his mother or grandfather again. He also shared his plans for the future, including education and his hopes to get a job - while he ruled one career out.
Speaking of being apart from her grandson, Susan told the show: "I used to think about Alex every single day and that was painful. But now I won't think that way anymore." She also shared that she did not want his mother or grandfather to face prison over his disappearance.
She said: "I don't want them to go to prison, that's the last thing that I want." Alex replied: "That's why I didn't come home sooner. All I worried about was them getting locked up."
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Alex Batty, the teenager who vanished six years ago during a holiday to Spain, has appeared in his first televised interview (ITV)A criminal investigation was launched into the alleged abduction of British teen Alex, who was found last month in France six years after his mother and grandfather took him on holiday and never returned home, Greater Manchester police said. Both adults were prohibited from being with the boy at the time, because of domestic difficulties.
When they never returned back from Marbella after two weeks, police launched an enquiry. Last month, the 17-year-old returned to Oldham, near Manchester, on Saturday and was reunited with his grandmother — the legal guardian who had made frantic and emotional appeals over the years for his return.
A delivery driver found Alex walking along a road in southern France in the middle of the night on December 13. Investigators had believed Alex escaped a rural community living in the foothills of the Pyrenees. After days of hiking, he was picked up by a lorry driver who became suspicious and called police.
Speaking about his decision to leave his mother, Alex told GMB about his escape and why he left when he did. He explained: "We stayed in a lot of caravans and we stayed in a lot of houses, always up mountains hours away from any kind of village or anything like that.
Alex Batty with his mother and grandfather (Pixel8000)"One day I just thought, ok, I can't take this anymore. I knew that everything was already kind of in place for them to leave where we were so if I were to have left they would be gone by the time the police arrived."
Alex then appeared in the studio with his grandmother, as he detailed the day that he left for the UK and why he wanted to leave that life behind. Alex said he had to "big himself up" to leave because of the risks, but one day he woke up and knew it was the day he had to leave for good.
Asked if he had told his mother he wanted to go before he went, he explained: "I did yes, I had thoughts of leaving when I was 14 and I first talked to my mother and grandad about leaving when I was 16.
"My mum, it was a no go from her but with Grandad it was a case of I wanna do what’s best for my life and he was completely understanding." Alex said he had no second thoughts, and revealed: "I was certain, it was a normal day to be honest. I didn't think I was going to, it was a very quick decision for it to be that day.
"I realised it was time just like that, it was around 7 o'clock when I realised I have got to go, I made food for everyone and played it chill. Around half 10, I wrote the note and by 12 o’clock I was gone."
British teenager Alex Batty who was found in France last month six years after being abducted spoke to Good Morning Britain (ITV)Asked what was on the note he left for his mother, he said: "It was just basically saying how much I loved them and that I was thankful for what they did, and that I knew it was out of love for me that they did it, but that it was not best for my future. [I said] not to worry about me as I can take care of myself."
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Susan then revealed she could forgive Alex's mother for taking him, as she too didn't want her to face punishment. But Alex admitted he didn't think he would see her or his grandfather again, but he "didn't mind".
He told the hosts: "I don't think I will see any of them again. I'd like to see my grandfather again." His grandmother had feared she wouldn't be alive if Alex was to return home one day, but said finally being reunited with her grandson has seen that "deep pain" leave her, calling it "amazing".
With his first birthday in the UK in six years approaching next month, host Richard asked what he planned to do. After reconnecting with the friends he was separated from all those years ago, he admitted he planned to "get bladdered" with them, while he's also looking to go to college and plans to get a degree in business or IT.
Alex went on to say it was like no time had been lost between him and his old friends, and they've all reconnected. Susan also brought up her grandson was looking for a job which he agreed. But Alex admitted there was one job he wouldn't do, sharing he wasn't keen on construction.
After Alex had said that he was made to "pick up the slack" as a young teen with jobs including decorating and construction work, he said he needed a career change. Susan had commented: "He's hoping to get a part-time job as well while he's studying."
As Susanna joked that constriction companies might have something for him, he said: "Oh God, no I can't, not ever again. Anything honestly, just not construction." The interview comes after Alex said he loved the cold, as he spent his first Christmas in the UK in six years. He told The Sun: "When I was away, we never really celebrated Christmas because we were always on the move.
“It’s so nice to go to bed at night and wake up in the same place in the morning. I am loving the cold weather and the rain as well.” On Christmas presents, he went on: "I loved Irn-Bru when I was little and used to get some from the corner shop whenever I could.
"The same for Worcestershire sauce-flavoured crisps. So my gran surprised me by tracking down a massive pack of cans and a couple of family-sized bags of crisps. I could have just tucked into them for Christmas dinner.”
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