Alex Batty vanished at age 11 while on holiday with his mother and grandfather, disappearing for six years. He now retraces his journey across Europe in a new documentary that finally tells the full story. The hour‑long film blends archival footage, fresh interviews and on‑the‑road scenes as he follows the trail left behind. He also meets locals who aided his family.

Premiered at 9 pm on 13 May 2026, the 1h 37m feature forms part of the BBC’s long‑running ‘Missing’ series, which chronicles high‑profile disappearance cases. Producers stitched together police reports, family testimony and Batty’s own reflections to map the six‑year gap. The series features commentary from legal experts who discuss the statute of limitations affecting such cases. The programme aired on BBC One and is now available on iPlayer.

By confronting his own trauma, Batty provides a rare window into the long‑term impact of abduction on survivors and their families. Viewers see how the search stretched across borders, highlighting coordination challenges between French, German and Italian authorities. The documentary adds depth to public discourse on missing‑person protocols and underscores the need for cross‑national cooperation.