British Boy Reunited with Family after Six Years in France: A Surreal Homecoming

British teenager Alex Batty, who was found in France six years after his disappearance, described his return to the United Kingdom as "surreal" in an interview with The Sun newspaper. The 17-year-old expressed his disbelief, stating, "Every time I go to sleep, I feel like I'm gonna be waking up back in France. It's not really kicked in yet that I am back in England."

After being taken on holiday by his mother and grandfather in 2017, the teenager spent six years living in Spain and France and did not return. He described the first few years as feeling like a "vacation," during which he spent most of his time "reading, drawing, and going to the beach."

After reaching the age of 14, Batty found himself needing to take on additional responsibilities to support himself, working in construction, demolition, and decoration to cover his own food and rent expenses. It was during this period that he started contemplating the idea of moving to England.

Alex Batty, pictured before he went missing, landed safely in London on Saturday evening.

Greater Manchester Police

After six years of being missing, a British boy has finally returned home to the UK. Speaking about his decision, he stated, "I carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages of each lifestyle and, after thinking it over for a couple of months, I came to the realization that returning to England was the best choice for me." Reflecting on his past years, he concluded that it was not the best path for his future.

Batty admitted that he had virtually no social life when living with his mother and grandfather, revealing that he only managed to make one friend during the six years he spent abroad.

When the teenager made the decision to leave France and attempt to reach England, he left a note for his mother expressing his love and gratitude for everything she had done for him. "I didn't want her to worry about me," he explained.

Armed with a warm jacket, his skateboard, and some money for food, he ventured out into the dark, rainy night. He made sure to travel at night, sleeping sparingly and sticking to well-lit areas for safety.

Now back in England, Batty expressed contentment with his health and happiness. He reassured his mother and grandfather of his love for them and urged them not to worry about him.